r ' \ 



&£&5 





HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



H I S T O K Y 



Of 



GAEDFEU, 



MASSACHUSETTS, 



ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO 1860 



BY 



LEWIS GLAZIER 




WORCESTER: 
PRINTED BY C H A S . HAMILTON, 

CENTRAL EXCHANGE. 

18G0. 



TO THE READER. 

This work was left unfinished by the author at the time 
of his death ; he had collected together most of the scat- 
tered materials of which it is composed, leaving it in a form, 
that little else was to be done but to prepare it for the press. 

In putting this work together, I may fail to mention some 
things that ought to be recorded, for want of information. 
I have taken considerable pains to learn what I could with 
regard to the Town since its formation as such, to the 
present time. 

A very interesting part of the history of some towns will 
be lost sight of here ; I refer to those places that were once 
settled by the Indians ; some of them were one hundred 
and forty years previous to the incorporation of this town. 

To you who have given your patronage by kindly furnish- 
ing us with statistical and other facts, with regard to the 
ecclesiastical, the manufacturing, the mechanical, and other 
interests of the people here, I would return my sincere 
thanks. m. k. g. 



INTRODUCTION. 

I am aware that it would seem to be the very height 
of presumption for a man at the age of eighty-six, to 
attempt to write a book. My object in the first place 
was merely to note down some facts with regard to the 
early history of Gardner, recorded only in the memory 
of a few of the oldest inhabitants of the Town. The 
pleasure experienced in this employment was such as to 
lead me to extend it to the present time. 

Some may object to the minuteness of detail, and fa- 
miliarity of scene indulged by the author. Every writer 
has his own way of stating things ; his peculiar mode of 
address ; his individual style of writing. Then too, the 
tastes of readers differ widely ; what is dull to one may 
be interesting to another ; facts may be recorded that will 
afford interest in reading to those who may recollect the 
circumstances in connection, that would appear dry or 
insipid to one of the present generation. I am aware 
that it will be remarked, (and with truth too,) that "I 
could have written a better history myself, or at least a 
more interesting one." "We do not make special claims 



INTRODUCTION. vii. 

to erudition, or a style of writing which shall attract for 

its novelty. I doubt not your friend could have done 
better in the meridian of life. 

I would cherish the hope therefore, that this little 
volume may find readers whose charity will induce them 
to deal gently with the infirmities of age. In writing 
this history we shall endeavor to avoid all prejudice or 
partiality, and hope it may meet with a kind reception 
from an indulgent public. 

Gardner, Sept., 1857. 






TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Incorporation of the Town, 

Situation and Extent, 

Family History, 

Town History, 

Notice of Daniel Shays, .. 

Power and Duty of the Overseers of the Poor, 

Power and Duty of the Master of the "Work-house, 

Duty of the Inmates, 

List of Town Officers, 

Valuation, &c, 

Amount of Money raised in 1858, exclusive of Highway Tax, 

List of Persons paying Twenty Dollars and upwards, .. 

Roads, 

Military, 

Fire Department, .. 

Music, 

Fires and Injuries by Lightning, 

Hail Storm, 

Casualties, .. 

Cemeteries, 

Justices of the Peace, 

Medical Practitioners, 

Schools, 

Business, .. 

Libraries, .. 

Ecclesiastical History, 



Pag« 

g 

10 

14 
5? 
80 
94 
90 
90 
99 
110 
110 
110 
114 
115 
118 
118 
119 
122 
122 
127 
129 
129 
131 
133 
137 
137 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. 

In the month of May, 1785, Mr. John Gla- 
zier, of Westminster, drew a petition to which 
he obtained abont thirty signatures, and pre- 
sented it to the Massachusetts Legislature, pray- 
ing that honorable body to set off from the north- 
westerly part of Westminster, the west part of 
Ashburnham, the south portion of Winchendon, 
and the east part of Templeton, all in the County 
of Worcester, land enough for a Town. And 
in duty bound will your petitioners ever pray. 
Accordingly the Legislature granted their re- 
quest and incorporated a Town by the name of 
Gardner, in honor of Col. Thomas Gardner, a 
noble patriot, who fell in battle righting for the 
liberty of his country. 

Gardner was incorporated June 15th, 1785. 
The number of inhabitants then in town were 
about three hundred and seventy-rive, and sixty 

2 



|0 HISTORY OF GARDNER. 

families; they were poor (with few exceptions) 
and lived in small ordinary houses; like new 
settlers in other places, they were obliged to 
labor hard to subdue the land and bring it into 
a state of cultivation. There were but few me- 
chanics in town at this time ; — three blacksmiths, 
four carpenters, and three shoe-makers. 

SITUATION AND EXTENT. 

Gardner is situated fifty-eight miles north-west 
from Boston, and twenty-five miles north from 
Worcester. It is 422° north latitude, and con- 
tains about nineteen square miles, or 14,000 
acres. 

Its surface is uneven ; there are no mountains 
in the place, though the traveler, in passing 
through the town, would think it pretty well 
dotted with hills. 

There is a very pleasant one east of the com- 
mon, familiarly known by the name of Esq'r Gla- 
zier's hill, now owned by Capt. Joel Cowee. 
About one-half mile west of the common, is 
another, owned by Dea. S. W. Bancroft. South- 
west of the common is one owned by William 
Lynde. In a south-east direction is one belong- 
ing to Dr. Parker, formerly known by the name 
of Capt. Bickford's hill. 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. i i 

The original growth of timber in this town, 
w r as beech, birch, maple, hemlock and ash, with 
some elm and bass-wood. In the west part of 
the town was a large growth of white pine. A 
walnut tree may be found on the land of Capt. 
John Eclgell, nearly opposite his residence ; its 
origin was a walnut from West Boylston, planted 
by Mrs. John Glazier, in the year 1800. An- 
other of the same description is located in the 
garden of Jonathan Brown; the walnut was 
planted by a brother of his, when a lad. 

The soil is better adapted to grass than grain. 

A little north-west and near the centre of the 
town, is a beautiful pond, about a mile in length 
and nearly one-half a mile wide; it is so well 
known by the inhabitants of the town that it 
needs no description; suffice it to say, that it is 
a pleasant resort for the pleasure-seeker and 
lover of nature, as many can testify who have 
enjoyed a sail across its smooth waters.* There 
is also a small pond in the south-westerly part 
of the town. 

Gardner is pretty well watered, although there 
are not many large streams in it. Otter river 



* Since writing the above, at a meeting' for the purpose, the Town voted to 
give the name of Crystal Lake to this pond ; a very appropriate name for so 
clear a body of water. 



12 



HISTORY OF GARDNER. 



runs four or five miles on trie south-west side of 
the town. 

There is a brook having its rise in Winchen- 
don, called the Bailey brook, running through the 
westerly part of the town and uniting with Otter 
river near the Goodnow mills, so called. 

Another, by the name of Kneeland brook, 
rises in the northerly part of the town and runs 
in a southerly direction nearly parallel with the 
Bailey brook, terminating in Otter river, just be- 
low Parker & Bancroft's saw-mill. On this 
stream there is a large tract of meadow-land 
which is supposed to have been cleared by bea- 
vers, as there was no wood or timber thereon at 
the time of the first settlement. 

There is another, rising in the north part of 
the town, between the other two, called the Wil- 
der brook ; after running in a southerly direction 
it unites with the Kneeland brook at the upper 
end of beaver meadow. 

About one-half a mile north-east of Gardner 
center, may be found the head of a stream run- 
ning in a north-easterly direction, through South 
Ashburnham, a corner of Westminster, and on- 
ward, losing itself in the Nashua river. 

There are two streams rising in the east part 
of the town; after making very circuitous courses, 



HISTOKY OF GARDNER, i r» 

they unite a little above the mills of E. C. J. and 
O. A. Travers. After their junction they con- 
tinue in a south-westerly course to Otter river, 
near the pail factory of Amasa Bancroft. 

There is another stream of some size, which 
has its rise in the town of Hubbardston, running 
in a northerly direction and uniting with one of 
the last mentioned streams, near the house of 
Joseph Maynard. On this stream is a large res- 
ervoir for the benefit of the mills below. 

The last stream which I shall mention, is called 
the Pond brook : it is the outlet of Crystal lake, 
and runs in a southerly direction into Otter river; 
on this stream, as also on most of the others, are 
more or less mills, of which I shall speak more 
particularly hereafter. It will be seen by the 
preceding, that the people of Gardner have geo- 
graphically taken a high stand ; as the water 
flows from its surface in opposite directions to 
the Connecticut and Merrimac rivers. 



2* 



FAMILY HISTORY. 

The early inhabitants of the town were from 
the State of Massachusetts ; from thirty different 
towns, and mostly from the comities of Middlesex 
and Worcester. They were distinguished as a 
class of people for their independence, perse- 
vering enterprise, intelligence, industry and pro- 
bity. 

They were subject to many hardships and pri- 
vations. Without roads or carriages, or even 
beasts of burden ; their own shoulders bore their 
grain to the distant mill, with no other guide 
than marked trees. With the lofty forests frown- 
ing upon every side, it was their mission to " go 
ahead " with their iron powers of locomotion, 
and make glad " the wilderness and the solitary 
place," while " the desert shall rejoice and blos- 
som as the rose." 

We would not regard it as a calamity that we 
have in this department so little that is allied to 
fame ; it is but the common lot of humanity. 
While it is true that few of our citizens have 



FAMILY HISTORY. 1 r 

been known to fame, it is also true that fewer 
have been known to infamy. As it is of fami- 
liar every-day incident, mainly, that the fabric 
of life is formed, we therefore claim an equality 
with common people. 

Without doubt there may be found some mis- 
takes in connection with the family register: 
this part of the work has been the most labori- 
ous and difficult to the writer. To those who 
have aided us in collecting these materials we 
render our sincere and hearty thanks. 

If the register of any family is omitted resid- 
ing in town previous to the year 1800, it is be- 
cause it could not be gathered from any accessi- 
ble sources of information. 



Abbreviations. — Hau. for daughter, m. for married, ch. for children, ae. for 
age, and d. for died. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Bickford, Capt. William, from Reading, bought a tract of 
land on the great road to Royalston : he put up a saw and 
grist-mill, — the first that were built in Gardner, — where E. 
C. J. & 0. A. Travers' chair-shop now stands. He was in- 
strumental in building up the town ; was chosen Captain of 
the first Militia company formed here. He served a pe- 
riod in the French war at Nova Scotia, and would have been a 



16 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



pensioner had he lived until the act was passed. He m. 
Tabitha Parker: their ch. were: — 1. Tabitha, m. Nathan 
Howard ; whose ch. were : — Amos and William. 2. Wil- 
liam, m. Betsy White; whose ch. were: — Cassandana, 
Amanda Malvina, d., and Betsy, d. 3. Ebenezer, m. Sarah 
Hill; whose ch. were: — Roena, George W., Francis A., 
Asa D., Sarah, David, Mary, Martha and William. 4. Na- 
than, d. 5. David, d. 6. Edmond, m. Nancy Emory; 
whose children were : — Albert, Lucinda, Tabitha, Oliver 
E., Nancy, Betsy, d., Lydia, Charles and Otis, d. 7. David, 
d. Mr. Bickford d. in 1832, ae. 89. 

Beard, Andrew, from Reading, settled in the south part 
of the town, in the early part of the town's history. Was 
a carpenter and a hard working man. The remnant of an 
aged tree is now standing near his former residence upon 
which he killed a bear. He married Miss Burnap ; their 
ch. were: — 1. Lizzie. 2. Tabitha, m. Abel Woodward; 
whose ch. were : — Aaron, Abel, Tabitha, Isaac, Mary, Nancy 
and Lock. 3. Andrew, m. Lucy Dunn ; whose ch. were : — 
Andrew and Vinal Cranston. 4. Artemas, m. Lydia Baker; 
they had one child whose name was Lydia. 5. Aaron, m. 
Anna Dunster ; whose ch. were : — Betrix, Mary, L}^dia, 
Hephzibah, Anna, Dorcas, Lucy, Maria and Aaron. 6. 
Mary. 7. Abel. 8. Bethia. 9. Dorcas, m. Mr. Jewett. 
10. Hephzibah. 11. Lucinda. Mr. Beard d. in 1831. 

Bolton, Ebenezer, from Reading, was a farmer in the 
south part of the town. He was a minute-man at the battle 
of Bunker hill ; at one time he felt the bullets brush his 
hair as they passed him. He received a pension for his 
services. He m. Elizabeth Holt ; their ch. were : — 1 . Betsy, 
m. Nathan Taft ; whose ch. were : — Nathan, Hollis, Jerusha, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



17 



Lovina and Asa. 2. Esther, d. 3. Jerusha, m. Silas 
Holt ; whose ch. were : — Reuben and Esther. 4 and 5. 
Abram and Asa, (twins,) d. 6. Ebenezer, m. Lenday Le- 
land ; whose ch. were : — Hollis, Horatio Nelson, Panthia, d., 
Emily, Ransom, Rhoda and Bellarmin. Mr. Bolton d. in 
1835, ae. 87. 

Baker, John, from Marlborough, was a farmer in the 
south part of the town. He m. Elizabeth Marshall ; their 
ch. were : — 1. Milley, m. Nathan Eaton; whose ch. were: 
— John, Milley and Myra. His second wife was Ellen 
Parmenter ; whose ch. were: — Mary, d., Nathan, Mary, 
James, Eleanor, Benjamin, Marshall, d., Marshall, Eleazer, 
Stilman, William, Nancy and Sarah. 2. Esther. 3. Lydia. 
Mr. Baker d. in 1835, ae. 87. 

Baker, Jonas, from Marlborough was a farmer in the 
south part of the town. He m. Miss Adams. His second 
wife was Susan Simonds ; whose ch. were : — Joseph Si- 
monds, Jonas and Betsy. 

Baker, George, from Marlborough ; he was brother to the 
two last mentioned individuals ; they all located in the same 
vicinity and were of like occupation. He m. Dinah Par- 
menter ; their ch. were: — 1. Artemas, m. Sarah Nichols; 
whose ch. were : — Artemas, David, Luther, Sarah, Quincy, 
Isaac, Ibri, Uri, Persis, Amos and Chloe. 2. Persis. 3. 
George Adam, m. Olive Holden ; whose ch. were : — George 
Holden, Willard, Roxa and Sumner. 4. Nancy. 5. Dinah, 
m. Eber Underwood ; whose ch. were : — Gilman, Curtis, 
Dexter, Israel and Calvin. 6. Amos. 

Baker, Thomas, from Westminster, settled on a farm now 
owned by Daniel Adams. He m. Mary Lewis ; their ch. 



18 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



were : — 1. Ezra, m. Lucy Priest ; whose ch. were : — Fanny, 
Joel, Levi, d., Betsy, Joseph and Charles. 2. Richard, in. 
Althina Whitney; whose ch. were: — William, Lucy, d., 
Mary, Walter, Betsy, Francis L., Richard Baxter, Calvin 
H., Lucy Ann and Angeline Maria. 3. Mary, m. David 
Nichols ; whose ch. were : — Roena, Marietta, Noyes and 
Marcus. 4. Joseph, m. Esther Holt ; his second wife was 
Lucy Davis ; whose ch. were : — Alexander and Lucy. 5. 
Roena. Mr. Baker d. in 1842, ae. 81. 

Baldwin, Josiah, one of the first inhabitants, lived in 
town a few years ; was a soldier in the revolutionary war 
three years. He m. Susanna, dau. of Israel Green ; they 
had one child whose name was Susanna, who m. James 
Cowee ; their ch. were : — Persis, Joel, Rebecca, Susanna, 
Betsy, Mehitable, Sarah, Lucinda, Person, George Wash- 
ington, Aaron, James, William, John and Ruel Green. 

Bacon, Joseph, from Sherburne, was a farmer and car- 
penter, residing about \h miles north-west of the center of 
the town, on the place now occupied by Joseph Whitney. 
He m. Abigail Cole; their ch. were: — 1. Charlotte. 2. 
Arna, m. Betsy Sawin ; whose ch. were : — Betsy, and So- 
phronia. 3. Joseph, d. 4. Abigail. 5. Atarah, m. Mr. 
Burbank ; whose ch. were : — Abigail, Mary, Joseph and 
Benjamin. 6. Eliab, m. Christiana Comee ; whose ch. 
were : — Calvin Cole, Eliza Caroline, Francis, Nancy, Cyn- 
thia Maria, James and Matthias Clark. 7. Arathusa. 8. 
Joseph, m. Lucy Wood ; whose ch. were : — Sereno, Almi- 
ra and Francis. 9. Francis, m. Malinda Kendall; whose 
ch. were: — Mary, Charles, Maria and Asa. Mr. Bacon d. 
in 1808, ae. 62. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



19 



Bancroft, Jonathan, from Ward, (now Auburn,) was a 
farmer and shoe-maker, living where now resides his grand- 
son, Dea. S. W. Bancroft. He very narrowly escaped being 
drowned while attempting to cross the pond one evening on 
the ice ; coming to an ope,n place unawares, he fell in, but 
managed to get on to the ice again and returned home. He 
was at the taking of Burgoyne in 1777. He m. Sarah Case ; 
their ch. were : — 1. Jonathan, m. Betsy Parker ; whose ch. 
were: — Sophia, Mary, d., Laura French, d., Jonathan Or- 
mond, Mary Amanda, Laura Elvira, Jesse Parker,* Lucius 
Lorenzo and Smyrna Osgood. 2. Smyrna, m. Sarah Whit- 
ney ; whose ch. were : — Harvey Mansfield, Smyrna Wins- 
low, Mary Elmira, Sarah Whitney, Amasa and Viola. 3. 
Sarah. 4. Mary, d. 5. Betsy. 6. Lucy. 7. Roxa, m. 
John Phillips ; whose ch. were : — Warren, d., Eliza, Caro- 
line, Warren and Mary Bancroft. Mr. Bancroft d. in 1826, 
ae. 76. 

Brick, Jonas, from Sherburne, was a farmer, living in 
the south part of the town. He m. Hannah Richardson ; 
their ch. were : — 1 . Silas, m. Anna Pike ; whose ch. were : — 
Eliza, Milly, Maria and Ann. 2. Asahel, m. Betsy Snow.; 
whose ch. were : — Asahel Augustus, Ephraim Sumner, Susan 
Sawyer, Jonas Richardson and Jerome Snow. His second 
wife was Mrs. Carpenter ; they had one child whose name 
was Jane Elizabeth. 3. Charlotte, m. Mr. Wells ; whose 
ch. were : — Emma, Charlotte, Judith, Willard, Wealthy, 
Sarah and Elizabeth. 4. Sarah. 5. Enoch. 6. Elijah, m. 



* Fitted for College at Andover and Leicester, Mass. Entered Dartmouth 
College in 1837 ; graduated in 1841. Commenced the general practice of med- 
icine in 1845, in St. Johnsbury, Vt., and continued there till 185T, when he re- 
moved to Concord, N. H., to take charge of the N. H. Asylum for the insane 
as Superintendent and Treasurer, in which office he is now engaged. 



20 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



Sarah Comee ; whose ch. were : — Alfred Harrison, David 
Comee, Mary, d., and Maria, (twins,) Eliza, d., Sarah, Mary, 
and Walter. 7. Jonas, d.. 8. Judith. 9. Jonas, m. 
Esther Whitney ; whose ch. were : — Mary Ann and Esther. 
Mr. Brick d. in 1822, ae. 64. 

Brooks, Joel, from Stow, was a farmer, living in the west 
part of the town, where now resides Levi Curtis. He m. 
Tameson, clau. of Ebenezer Howe; their ch. were: — 1. 
Lydia, m. David Nichols. 2. Lucy, m. George Scott. 3. 
Betsy, m. Isaac Jackson ; whose ch. were : — Susan Elvira 
and Betsy Tameson. .His second wife was Mehitable 
Minott ; whose ch. were : — Rockwell, Maria, Melancy, d., 
Ellen, d. Daniel Webster and Edward. 4. Joel, m. 
Cynthia Taylor; whose ch. were : — Betsy and Lucy Ann. 

5. Silas, m. Emily Conant ; whose ch. were: — Luke, Syl- 
vanus, Emily Elmira, George, Joel Josiah and Webster. 

6. Luke, d. 7. Ann, m. Isaac Hall. Mr. Brooks d. in 
1840, ae. 84. 

Coolidge, James, from Sherburne, located as a farmer in 
the west part of the town. When Gardner was incorporated 
he was opposed to being taken from Winchendon, and pe- 
titioned the Legislature to set him back to that town, but 
was refused the favor : after a few years he became recon- 
ciled, and took hold in earnest to assist others in building 
up the Town. He m. Sarah Gould; their ch. were : — 1. 
Sarah. 2. Joseph, m. Achsah Hale ; whose ch. were : — 
Catharine, Lucy, Joseph Hale, Sarah, Artemas and Charles 
Monroe. 3. Betsy. 4. James, m. Annis Sawin; whose 
ch. were : — Warren, Betsy, Charles,* Samuel Sawin, Sarah, 
d., Martha, James and Abigail. Mr. Coolidge d. in 1847, 
ae. 94. 

* Is a Physician in Warsaw, Illinois. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



21 

Cliilds, Daniel, was a farmer, living in the north part of 
the town, where Mr. Harty now resides. He in. Phebe 



their ch. were : — 1. William. 2. Daniel. 3. Jonas, d. 4 
Mary. 5. Timothy. 6. Nathaniel. 7. Cynthia. 8. Jonas 
m. Amelia L. F. Osgood ; whose ch. were : — Lucius A. 
Amelia A. and Amanda. 9. Betsy. 10. Harriet. 11 
Lucy. 12. Charles, m. Roena Baker. 13. Abijah. 14 
Francis. 

Comee, David, from Lexington, located as a farmer in 
the east part of the town ; was a soldier in the Revolutiona- 
ry war ; he was in a fierce battle, when a ball from the enemy 
cut the hair from his head, (it being clubbed up,) another 
ball struck his gun as it was poised before him ; it tore the 
barrel out of the stock and left the ball remaining. He 
m. Christian Maltman ; their ch. were : — 1. David, m. Es- 
ther Baker ; whose ch. were : — David, Betsy, John and 
Louisa. 2. James Maltman, m. Sarah Putnam ; whose ch. 
were : — Maria, Christian, Sarah, James M., Mary, William 
W., Abby, John Porter, d., Leander Porter, Eliza and 
Daniel Webster. His second wife was Hannah Maltman ; 
their ch. were : — 1. Benjamin, d. 2. Christian. 3. Mary, 
m. William Fletcher ; whose ch. were : — Mary Adaline, 
Eliza, William and Francis. 4. Benjamin, d. 5. John, d. 
6. Hannah. 7. Sarah. 8. Ruhamah, m. Abram Jaquith ; 
they had one child whose name was Abby Mead. 9. Mar- 
tha, m. Ebenezer Fenno ; whose ch. were : — Lucy Ann, 
Harriet Newell, Sarah, Henry Clay and Bernerd Maurett. 
10. Benjamin, m. Lovina Mead ; whose ch. were: — Char- 
lotte Emeline, Caroline Augusta, Martha Ann, James 
Monroe and Sarah Mead. His second wife was Mrs. E. A. 
Seager ; whose ch. were : — Rosette, William, Esquire and 
Helen. 11. Joseph, m. Miriam Stone ; whose ch. were; — 

3 



22 



FAMILY HISTORY, 



Christopher Columbus, Samuel, Martha S. and George. 
12. George "Washington, m. Fanny Vining. His second 
wife was Betsy Howard : whose ch. were : — George Marse- 
na, Francis, Fanny and Frank. Mr. Comee d. in 1828, 
ae. 82. 

Conant, Josiah, from Westminster, was a farmer, residing 
in the east part of the town ; the place is now owned by 
Dennis Gates. He m. Annis Derby; their ch. were: — 1. 
Aaron, m. Lucy Bancroft ; whose ch. were : — Catharine, 
Roswell B., d., Roswell, d., Smyrna Bancroft, Emily, d., 
George Farewell, Aaron Winslow, Mary Bancroft and Sarah 
Case. 2. Lucy, m. Isaac Miller ; whose ch. were : — Gard- 
ner, Mary, William, Lucy, Lyman, James, John and Nancy. 
3. Nancy, m. Alpheus Simonds ; whose ch. were: — Ada- 
line, Abigail, Nancy, Maria, Myranda, Caroline, Hannah, 
Augusta, Sylvenus and Rebecca. 4. Betsy. 5. Farewell, 
m. Lucy Wright ; whose ch. were : — Rebecca, Mary Ann, 
Calvin, John Wesley, Charles Wright and Lucy Maria. 6. 
Abigail, m. Jonathan Brown ; whose ch. were : — Abigail, 
Maria and Myranda, (twins,) Emily, Jonathan Leroy, Elisha, 
Martha, Charles, Lucy, Mary and Edward Reynolds. 7. 
Mary, m. Asahel Corey ; whose ch. were : — Jonas and 
Charles. 8. Josiah, m. Hannah Graves ; whose ch. were : — 
Harriet, Augusta, William, d., Walter, Joseph Lewis, d., 
Francis, Ellen Maria, d., George Alvah and Eliza Jane. 9. 
Emily. 10. Susan, m. Asa Temple; whose ch. were: — 
Elizabeth Holland and Christopher Columbus. 11. Lyman, 
m. Emma Wells ; whose ch. were : — Caroline Elizabeth, 
Mary, Edward and Theodore. 12. Maria, m. Joseph P. 
Howe ; whose ch. were : — Maria, Abby, Edward Payson 
and Emergene. 13. Lanson, d. 14. Sylvester Thomas, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



23 



m. Sarah Bickford ; they had one child whose name was 
Charles. Mr. Conant d. in 1835, ae. 77. 

Clark, Joseph, from Sherburne, was a farmer in the west 
part of the town. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war seven years, and received a pension ten years or longer. 
He m. Mary Maltman ; they had one child whose name was 
Joseph, who m. Sarah Sawyer; their ch. were Leonora, 
Sylvester, Mary and Joseph Monroe. Mr. Clark d. in 1837, 
ae. 80. 

Clark, Benjamin, (brother to the one last mentioned,) 
from Sherburne, was a farmer, residing in the west part of 
the town ; the place is now occupied by his son, Dea. Samuel 
H. Clark. He m. Martha Minott ; their ch. were: — 1. 
Esther M. 2. Benjamin, m. Rebecca Richardson ; whose 
ch. were : — Elizabeth and Mary Ann. 3. Mary. 4. Betsy, 
m. Lowell Leland ; whose ch. were: — Leaden, Esther M., 
Elizabeth, d., Martha Elizabeth, Lucy, Henry and Joseph 
W. 5. Sarah. 6. Joanna M. 7. Samuel Harrington, m. 
Mary Bennett ; whose ch. were : — Greorge and William Ray- 
mond. Mr. Clark d. in 1827, ae. 65. 

Dunster, Hubbard, from Westminster, was a cooper, re- 
siding on the place now occupied by Elijah Foster. He m. 
Rebecca, dau. of Benjamin Kendall; their ch. were: — 1. 
Martin, m. Sarah Nichols. 2. Prudence, m. Isaac Fitts. 
3. Rebecca, m. Grilman Robbins ; whose ch. were : — George, 
Charles, Sarah, Caroline and Joseph. 4. Louisa. 5. Aseph, 
m. Sarah Stoddard ; whose ch. were : — Lydia Ann, Caro- 
line, Rebecca and Lucy. 6. Jane, m. Stephen Tyler; whose 
ch. were : — Mary Jane and Adaline. 7. Lydia, m. Joel 
Nichols; whose ch. were: — Eliza Ann, Frank and Emma. 



24 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



Dapheny m. Mr. Parsons ; they had one child whose name 
was Warren. Mr. Dunster d. in 1818, ae. 45. 

Eaton. John, from Needham, located as a farmer in the 
north part of the town, where now resides his son, John 
Eaton. He was a soldier in the taking of Burgoyne's army. 
He m. Mary Larkin ; their ch. were: — 1. Lncy, m. Mr. 
Boyden; they had one child whose name was Mary Ann. 

2. Josiah, m. Mary Weston ; whose ch. were : — Merrick, 
Mary Ann, Josiah, Otis, Danford, George, Nancy and 
Charles. 3. Mary, m. Isaac Williams; whose ch. were: — 
Mary, Charles and Calvin. 4. John, m. Betsy Esty ; whose 
ch. were : — George, Warren, Franklin, Eliza, John, Amasa, 
Mary, Maria and Oliver. 5. Nancy. 6. Peter, m. Catha- 
rine Coolidge ; whose ch. were : — Mary Ann and Charles. 
His second wife was Mrs. Knowlton. Mr. Eaton d. in 1827, 
ae. 81. 

Eaton, Ebenezer, from Needham, was a farmer in the 
south part of the town. He m. Joanna Hutchinson ; their 
ch. were : — Ebenezer, Jonas and Sarah. His second wife 
was Mrs. Richardson ; whose ch were : — Betsy, George and 
Clarissa. 

Eaton, Jonathan, (brother to the two last mentioned,) 
was a farmer, living in the west part of the town. He m. 
Bulah Ward; their ch. were: — 1. Bulah. 2. Jonathan, d. 

3. Joseph, d. 4. Benjamin, d. 5. Jonathan, m. Miss Lane. 
6. Rebecca. Mr. Eaton d. in 1819. 

Edgell, Joseph, from Westminster, was a farmer, living 
near the west village, where Charles Stacy now resides. He 

m. Dorcas ; whose ch. were : — Charles, Nancy, Joseph, 

d., Rebecca, Joseph and Kendall. He moved back to West- 
minster many years ago. 



FAMILY HISTORY. nr 

Edgell, Benjamin, from Westminster, was a farmer and 
cooper, in the south part of the town, living where Joseph 
Metcalf now resides. He in. Priscilla Graves ; their ch. 
were: — 1. Susan. 2. Benjamin, m. Mary Ann Dollonson. 
3. Catharine. 4. Priscilla, m. Newell Brown ; whose ch. 
were : — Charles, Sarah and Henry. 5. Mary, m. Luther 
Alden ; whose ch. were : — Luther and Silas. 6. Farewell, 
m. Mary Ann Sawin ; whose ch. were : — Emily, d., Elvira 
C. and Emily Janette, d. His second wife was Mary Ann 
Minott ; they had one child whose name was George. 7. 
Louisa. 8. Lucy, m. Aseph Wood; whose ch. were : — Pru- 
cius M., d., Prucius M., Amanda, Theophilus, d., Lucy Au- 
gusta, Theophilus and Adelia. His second wife was Abby 
H. Pierce ; they had one child whose name was Eliza H. 9. 
Abigail, m. Edward L. Turner; whose ch. were: — Francis 
E., d., Martha P., Edward S., Frank H. and Harriet A. 
10. Martha, m. Jonas Pierce; whose ch. were: — Calvin 
and Catharine, d. His second wife was Mrs. Nichols ; they 
had one child whose name was Erastus N. Mr. Edgell d. 
in 1817, ae. 46. 

Fisher, Gideon, was one of the first inhabitants of the 
town, living in the north part : was a great help to the 
place in clearing it of wild animals. He m. Mrs. Rebecca 
Hutchins ; they had one child whose name was William. 
Mr. F. sold in a few years and left the place. 

Foster, David, from Reading, was a farmer and carpenter. 
He was engaged in the Revolutionary war nine months, and 
was the last man who fled from the enemy at the battle 
of Bunker hill. He m. Betsy Minott; their ch were: — 1. 
Betsy, d. 2. Susanna. 3. David, d. 4. David. 5. Betsy. 
Mr. Foster d. in 1815, ae. 70. 

3* 



26 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



Foster, Samuel, from Beading, lived in the west part of 
the town. Hem. Elizabeth Boyden ; their ch. were: — 1. 
Lizzie. 2. Samuel, m. Mary Payson ; they had one child 
whose name was Joseph Payson. His second wife was Mary 
Persons. 3. Dolly, m. Mr. French. 4. Peter. 5. Jesse. 
6. Assenath. 7. Jonah. 8. Bufus. 

Fairbanks, Levi, from Harvard, was a farmer in the east 
part of the town, where his son, Levi Fairbanks, now resides. 
He m. Eunice Bandall ; their ch. were: — 1. Levi, m. Miss 
Anderson; whose ch. were: — Phebe, Walter, Mary and 
Stephen. His second wife was Mrs. Pierce. 2. Jabez, m. 
Abigail Seaver; whose ch. were: — Abigail and Louisa. 
His second wife was Nancy Temple ; they had one child 
whose name was Sardis. 3. Ephraim, m. Susan Weston; 
whose ch. were : — Nelson, Elisha and Stephen. 4. Joseph, 
m. Buth Jaquith ; whose ch. were : — Harriet Newell, Buth 
Jaquith, Joseph and Alonzo. 5. Eunice, m. Stephen Wes- 
ton ; whose ch. were : — Adaline, Stephen, Maria and Mary. 
6. Lydia, m. Arba Brooks; whose ch. were: — Eunice and 
William. 7. Stephen, d. 8. Luke. Mr. Fairbanks d. in 
the year 1845, ae. 90. His wife d. in the year 1851, ae. 92. 

Fairbanks, Noah, from Harvard, was a farmer in the west 
village, living where Lewis H. Graham now resides. He m. 
Hannah Whitcomb ; their ch. were : — 1. Emory, m. Eunice 
Heywood ; whose ch. were : — Emory H., Francis J., James 
H., Elizabeth E., Joseph W., Susan A., Lucy Ann and 
Laura. 2. Noah. 3. Sewell, m. Susan Heywood; whose 
ch. were : — James H. and Sewell W. 4. Aseph, m. Han- 
nah Whitcomb ; whose ch. were : — Aseph Waldo, Joel 
Whitcomb and Martha Malvina. 5. Sophronia, m. Lewis 
H. Graham ; whose ch. were : — Lucy Jane, Henry Lewis, 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



27 



Mary Louisa and Lucius Fairbanks. 6. Hannah. 7. Lucy, 
m. Joseph Barker ; whose ch. were : — Mary Lemira, Eliza 
Adaline and Martha Maria. 8. Joel, m. Esther Leland. Mr. 
Fairbanks d. in 1852, ae. 80. 

Fenno, William, from Boston, was a farmer, living in the 
east part of the town; the place is now owned by Hosea 
Hadley. He m. Rachel Ray ; they had one child whose 
name was Mary ; who m. Abel Wood ; their ch. were : — Ly- 
man T., Hiram, Sophia, Dolly, Hannah, Cynthia, Joel and 
William. His second wife was Lydia Ray ; whose ch. 
were: — 1. William, m. Mary Corey; whose ch. were: — 
Samuel Farrar, Lucy Corey, Elmira, William Wood, Steph- 
en, Mary, Lucinda and Frances Ann. 2. Asa, m. Grata 
Wheeler ; whose ch. were : — David Dickerson, William 
Stone, Mary Emily, Jonas Wheeler, Ray, Elmira, Harriet 
and Joel. 3. Joel, m. Sarah Corey; whose ch. were: — 
Sarah Clarinda, Hezekiah Corey, Willarcl Jefts, Charles Al- 
exander and Joel Carmillus. 4. Elmira, m. Joseph Carter; 
whose ch. were : — Mary Elizabeth, Adalaide and Eveline. 
5. Lucinda, m. Washington Nichols ; whose ch. were : — 
Eliza Jane, George Burknap and Charles Monroe. 6. Ly- 
man, m. Mary Miller; whose ch. were: — Jane Maria, Ella 
Isadore, George Henry and Hattie Augusta. Mr. Fenno 
d. in 1822. 

Green, Israel, the fourth inhabitant of the town, lived one 
and one-half miles north-west from its center. He had four 
sons, who were mighty huntsmen, and were noted for killing 
bears. The sons all enlisted in the Revolutionary war ; 
only one of them ever returned. He had one dau. who m. 
Josiah Baldwin. Mr. Green removed to Westminster be- 
fore his death. 



2g FAMILY HISTORY. 

Green, Nathan, from Leicester, was a farmer, living in the 
north-easterly part of the town ; he abstained from all spir- 
ituous liquors, and in that respect was almost an exception in 
those clays. About the year 1820 his house was struck with 
lightning ; Mr. Green and his wife felt the shock. It affected 
him like a stick of wood coming with force against his lower 
limbs. It stunned Mrs. Green. They heard no report, 
though it sounded to others like the firing of a gun ; there 
was no rain ; the hemisphere was diversified with light and 
brassy clouds ; there appeared a black cloud in the center, 
"like a man's hand," from which it was supposed that the 
electrical fluid proceeded. The carpenter who repaired the 
house found it considerably shattered and thought there was 
not a nail but what was either drawn out, or started. 
He m. a French lady, Margaret, dau. of John D. Jersey, 
from the Island of Journsey. They had no children. Nathan 
Green, (a nephew of his,) lived with them from a child, to 
whom he gave his property ; he m Fanny Bicknell ; they 
had one child whose name was Charles. Mr. Green d. in 
1822, ae. 71. 

Glazier, John, came from Shrewsbury in 1773 ; he owned 
a good farm in the center of the town, and kept a public 
house ; was an honest, upright man, anxious to promote the 
welfare and prosperity of the town ; he gave them the use 
of his house to hold their meetings in, until the meeting- 
house was built ; it is the place that Asa Richardson now 
owns, and is supposed to be the oldest house in town He 
m. Sarah, dau. of Isaac Temple, of Shrewsbury; their ch. 
were: — 1. Smyrna, m. Bridget Foster ; whose ch. were: — 
Bridget and Abram Foster. When Smyrna was about four 
years old he fell into a well and climbed out alone. When 
he was a young man he was very fond of a gun ; he shot at 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



29 



a hawk when flying high in the air, and brought it to the 
ground. At another time he shot at a flock of wild geese 
and killed two of them with a single ball as they were swim- 
ming in the pond. He obtained a good common education 
from his own industry, as schools were scarce in those days. 
He is now living, and the oldest person in town. His age is 
92. 2. Lewis, m. Betsy Coolidge ; whose ch. were : — John 
Coolidge and Sarah Temple. His second wife was Lucy 
Keyes ; whose ch. were : — Betsy Coolidge, Thomas Edwin, 
Mary Ann, d., Smyrna Sylvester and Lewis Lysander, 
(twins,) d., Lucy Ann and Mary Keyes. 3. Ruth, m. Jona- 
than Prescott ; whose ch. were: — Jonathan, Bushrod 
Washington, Elizabeth, William, Sarah, George and Ruth 
Ann. Mr. Prescott was the first merchant in Gardner ; he 
built the house and lived where Francis Richardson, Esq. 
now resides : after living in town a few years he removed to 
Boston, where he was appointed constable, which office he 
held during life. He d. in 1852, ae. 92. 4. Elizabeth. 5. 
Sarah, d. in 1786, at the age of 1 year, and was the first 
one interred in the burying ground. Mr. Glazier d. in 1826, 
ae. 87. 

Goodale, Peter, from West Boylston, was a farmer, re- 
siding on the place now occupied by Charles Green. He 
was a good townsman while he stayed, which was but a short 
time, when he sold and went back to West Boylston. He 
m. Abigail, dau. of Benjamin Hinds ; whose ch. were : — 
Elizabeth, Benjamin, Jason, Peter, Aseph and Junia. 

Greenwood, Jonathan, from Sherburne, was a farmer, and 
kept a public house in the south part of the town, where 
his son, Walter Greenwood, now resides. He in. Sybil Hol- 
brook ; their ch. were : — 1. Alvin, m. Mary Childs ; whose 



30 FAMILY HISTORY. 

ch. were : — Sophia, d., Sophia, Maria, Calvin S., Alvin Mon- 
roe, James Holbrook, Charles, William and Mary. 2. Sybil, 
d. 3. Jonathan, m. Phebe Temple ; whose ch. were : — 
Walter, Louisa, Thomas, Betsy, Mason and Joel. 4. 
Walter, m. Rebecca Wright; whose ch. were: — Aaron, 
Emily, Martha, Rebecca, Edward W., George, Judson and 
Thomas. 5. Sybil, m. William Whitney ; whose ch. were : — 
Sybil and Betsy. 6. Leonora, m. George W. Cowee ; 
whose ch. were: — Sybil C, George Leander, Alvin G., 
Aaron, Mary M. and Adaline. His second wife was Sarah 
Wilcox ; whose ch. were : — Frank, d., and Fred (twins,) 
Frank, Ellen E. and Hattie J. Mr. Greenwood d. in 1821, 
ae. 66. 

Greenwood, Aaron, from Sherburne, was a farmer, in the 
south-west part of the town, where his grandson, Aaron L. 
Greenwood, now resides. He was three years in the Revo- 
lutionary war, and received a pension a number of years. 
He m. Anna Learned; their ch. were: — 1. Charles, m. 
Betsy Temple; whose ch. were: — Aaron L., Francis T., 
Betsy, Edward and Asa Temple. 2. Anna. Mr. Green- 
wood d. in 1824, ae. 68. 

Gates, Simon, moved from Westminster to Gardner with- 
out changing his residence ; the town line crossing his farm, 
he had a right to belong to the town he chose, and being a 
just man, decided to come to Gardner, because he thought 
it his duty to go where he could do the most good. He had 
a good farm on what is called Beech hill, where his grand- 
son, Horace Gates, now lives, and was one of the principal 
men in building up the town. He m. Susanna Reed ; their 
ch. were: — 1. Nathan, m. Abigail Knowlton ; whose ch. 
were: — Nathan, Jeremiah, d., Abel, Aseph, Luke, d., Abi- 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



31 



gail, Luther, Amos, Susannah, an infant dau., d., Lucinda, 
Clarissa, Jeremiah Knowlton, James Eliot and Benjamin 
Addison. 2. Simon, m. Sarah Taylor ; whose ch. were : — 
Louisa, Simon Hazeltine, Horace, Dennis, Mary and Dolly. 
3. Daniel, m. Phebe Mosman ; whose ch. were : — Daniel 
Merrick, Sophronia, Leonard Mosman, Lucy, Phebe, Char- 
lotte and Solomon Keyes. 4. Reuben, m. ; their 

ch. were : — Samantha Keyes, Anna Mosman, Ezekiel, Dar- 
win and Bial. 5. Ezekiel. 6. Elizabeth, d. 7. Elizabeth. 
Mr. Gates d. in 1803, ae. 63. 

Holland, Joseph, from Boylston, was one of the first set- 
tlers in Gardner, his place is the one now owned by Capt. 
Joel Cowee. After living in town a few years he sold to 
Mr. Glazier and went north. At this time Mr. Heywood 
and Mr. Glazier owned about 300 acres of land in the center 
of the town. Mr. Holland m. Elizabeth Gleason ; whose ch. 
were : — Joseph, James, Ruth and Ephraim. 

Heywood, Seth, (son of Phineas Heywood, and grandson 
of Dea. John Heywood, of Concord,) who came from Sterling 
to Gardner, was one of the first settlers in town ; had a good 
farm in the center of the town ; he was also a blacksmith. 
He was a man of superior mind, and had a remarkable memo- 
ry ; being a great reader, he was able to relate a history of 
almost any book then known. He was a valuable member of 
society, and was greatly beloved by all who knew him. He 
was Lieutenant in the army at Cambridge nine months. 
He m. Martha, dau. of Isaac Temple of Shrewsbury ; their 
ch. were : — 1. Betsy. 2. John, m. Mary Hutchins ; whose 
ch. were : — Mary, John and Betsy Lavette. 3. Sarah, m. 
Samuel Edgell ; whose ch. were : — Betsy, Sarah, William, 
Mary, Lucinda and Samuel. 4. Ann, m. William Whit- 



o^ 



CLY HISTORY. 



ney se eh. -were: — William. Seth, Joseph, Althina, 

Anna, H ".".>. Aniasa and La y, (I D£ Mr. Whitney d. 
in 1S46. ae. Si : hi? wife died - b< in after, that their fu- 
nerals^ Led log titer. Her age was 76. 5. Mary. 
■ ~ seph Boyden, M. P.: whose eh. were: — Mary. Wyat 
Clark. Lney. Ebentier. Fredrick and Joseph. After resid- 
ing in Gardner a few Years, I>r. Bovden left for Tamworth, 
N. H.. where he became an eminent physician; but was 
suddenly cut off in the midst of life, by a fall from his horse. 
6. Benjamin, m. Mary Whitney: whose ch. were: — Levi. 
Bviijamin Franklin. "Walter, William. Seth andCharle-. 7. 
Mirtha. m. Samnel Sawin : whose ch. were : — Samuel Wes- 
: .. El line, J: hn Harrison and Levi Heywood. 
S th. 9. Lucy. m. Gardner Pollard : whose ch. were : — 
Lncy. Martha. L Seth, Ehnira, V-.ncy and Gardner. 10. 
Levi, "— . Nancy HeaJv ; whose ch. were : — John Healy* and 
BrDJamin Seth. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 
1808. Commenced the srudy of law. with Hon. Xathaniel 
Paine, of Yf rter, and finished with Hon. Elijah Mills. 
of Northampton : admitted to the bar in 1811. and com- 
menced practice in Worcester the same year. In Oct.. 1818, 
he removed to Pickneyville, Louisiana, where he engaged 
in teaching school. Having kept an office in New York for 
a short period, he became Principal of the Academy in 
Haekensaek, New Jersey. He again resumed practice in 
• : New York, where he died in 1832, ae. 49. Mr. 
Hrvwood d. in 1817, ae. 89. 

Hi... Marvrick, from Medway. was a farmer, residing in the 
north pan of the town. His place was adjoining the Green 

* Graduated at Harvard College, wai ordained at Worcester. as a Unitarian 
Minister in 1837, and settled soon after in Louisville, Kentucky, where he 
still resi . 



FAMILY HI5T0EY. OO 

place. Ht m. . . . — 1. M 

m. Lit Adams ; whose ;■"_. were : — Elizabeth Clark, Junes 
Marvri s, Lney, :. H 

5, d.. M< ses, Isaac Watte, B ' 

hia and Hirrie: B^ twins _ Jesse, m 

Br: re: — Kenan, Abigail - - 

Julia. Henri::. Jess M 3. Br_ I m. Han 

Baker; wh se ... — re: — - : v, B L 

I - A ca, Moses, Abigail M ; : 

Baker and L . : . iniel,m ..■ 

eh. w^rc : — Tamar, !.. L d M 

thaniel, GL, Merey, 6L, T :^ar and Li: 
5. Mary. 6. Bffei y 7. Syb - ] m: 

they had - • ; ?. Mrs. H 

in the year 1807 M - _ 

having their g red, M UilJ be 

: - - : s 2 

3 their mot ting 1 : - - ~ - : 

sh live to see il r i I shels oi lesin : 

- - • . - . - . . ■ " : :• m 

a hymn of Dr. Watts', as 

ear"; . : 3 _ I was h.er empl yment th last 

year- : fa -.-: I : - spim the war] : or : — el : : thirl 
yards after si was ty-thre 5 j 

Hadley. Joseph, was one : the ' - tilers, residing 
as a farmer in the north part of the tc wn. Bis h. wei — 
Mehitable, Si - I 

■ sterity ddentin 1 id litt] 

regard 1 _:em. 

Hinls. Daniel, :; 1 - 

in t". - part of the I wil He m. S a Ho] 

4 



u 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



whose ch. were: — Sarah, James, Benjamin, Daniel and 
Milton. He moved back to West Boylston. 

Howe, Ebenezer, from Templeton, located as a farmer 
about a mile north of the center of Gardner. The place is 
now owned by Peter Eaton. He m. Elizabeth Deland ; 
their ch. were: — 1. Tameson. 2. Perley, m. Jane T. 
Belcher; whose ch. were: — Betsy Deland, Sarah, Eli, 
Frances M., Ebenezer, Perley, Lydia, Jane R. and Emily 
Augusta. 3. Ezekiel, m. Susanna Payson ; whose ch. 
were : — Ezekiel, Franklin, Joseph Payson, Samuel Stillman, 
Stowell, Mary Payson, Susan, George, David Monroe and 
Betsy. 4. Sarah, m. Silas Wood ; whose ch. were : — Amos 
and Phebe. 5. Betsy, m. John Miller ; whose ch. were: — 
Ebenezer, Eliza, Benjamin, Maria, Amos and Betsy. 6. 
Benjamin, m. Kesiah Hill; whose ch. were: — Benjamin, 
Amos, Sarah, Ebenezer Deland, Simeon, Mary Ann, Lucy 
and Harrison. 7. Amos, whose birth was the first in town 
after its incorporation; it occurred June 1 7th, 1785; he d. 
in 1805, ae. 20. His second wife was Mercy Hill. Mr. 
Howe d. in 1808, ae. 62. 

Haynes, Reuben, from Sudbury, was a farmer, in the north 
part of the town; his land joined Winchendon. He was 
chosen Lieutenant of the first militia company formed in 
Gardner ; was a soldier in the Revolutionary war three 
years, and sergeant part of the time; he received $120 an- 
nually for some years as a pensioner. He m. Susanna Wil- 
lis ; their ch. were : — 1. Susanna. 2. Ezra Willis, m. Mar- 
tha Stone ; whose ch. were : — Reuben, Mary and Martha 
Willis. Her second husband was Elisha Coolidge ; whose 
ch. were : — Wesley and Charles. 3. Sarah, m. Jonathan 
Temple ; whose ch. were : — Jerusha, Jonathan, and Willis. 



FAMILY HISTORY. o- 

4. Israel, d. 5. Eunice. 6. Reuben, d. 7. Ruth. 8. Re- 
becca. 9. Jerusha. 10. Asenath. Capt. Ilaynes d. in 
1841, ae. 86. 

Jackson, Elisha, from Westminster, was the first inhabitant 
in Gardner. He was a man of stability and force of char- 
acter accompanied with sagacity ; was a farmer, and kept 
a public house in the south part of the town where D. W. 
McFarland now resides. He m. Bulah Taylor ; their ch. 
were : — 1. Jemima, m. Ebenezer Keyes ; whose ch. were : — 
Ebenezer, Elisha, Solomon, Lorenzo and Jemima. 2. Lucy, 
m. Aaron Wood ; whose ch. were : — Lucy, Sarah and Aaron. 
His second wife was Bethia Beard ; whose ch. were : — 
Moses, Cyrena, Asaph, Amanda, Emeline, Theophilus P.,* 
and Abel S. 3. Bulah, m. Jonathan Brown ; whose ch. 
were : — Jonathan, John, Charles, d., Elisha, Charles, Sarah, 
d., Sarah, Benjamin Babbitt, Lucy and Nancy. 4. Ruth, m. 
Nahum.Wood; whose ch. were: — Louisa, Ruth, Catharine, 
Albert and Nahum Howard. 5. Elisha, m. Relief Beard ; 
whose ch. were : — Phebe, Lucy, Elisha Stowell, Sophronia 
and Samantha, (twins,) Joseph Loring, Charles Weston, 
Elvira and Leonard Franklin. 6. Josiah, m. Arathusa 

* He had the misfortune to lose his father when a child, and, with his 
brothers, had to struggle with all the difficulties incident to a state of orphan- 
age. In early life he had laid the foundation of a character for integrity and 
business talents seldom exceeded ; and obtained an education superior to most 
of the young men at that time. It may be said in all his various transactions, 
he was high-minded and honorable, commanding the respect of a numerous 
acquaintance; his judgment was sound, active, and enterprising; being pos- 
sessed of a candid and liberal mind, he saw things in their true and just rela- 
tions, receiving the universal confidence of the community in which he lived. 
As a merchant he was courteous and affable, public-spirited and honorable. 
He was not long destined to follow in the path that opened to him so brightly ; 
after disease had marked him for a prey, he visited a foreign clime, (Cuba) in 
hopes of recovery but of no avail : in his sickness he enjoyed the hopes and 
consolations of the gospel. He died soon after his return home, ae. 29. 



36 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



Bacon ; whose ch. were : — Christiana Bacon, Arathusa Caro- 
line, Josiah Alexander, Abigail Sanger and Eliza Adaline. 
7. Ebenezer, m. Susanna Foster. 8. Abigail, m. Timothy 
Taft ; whose ch. were: — Lucy and Lucinda, (twins,) Proc- 
tor, Abigail and Roena. 9. Abel, m. Betsy Foster; whose 
ch. were : — David Foster, Elizabeth, Susan, Harriet and 
Abel. Mr. Jackson d. in 1814, ae. 77. 

Kendall, Benjamin, from Sherburne, was a farmer, in the 
south part of the town, dwelling where Walter Greenwood 
now resides. He m. Keziah Twichell ; their ch. were: — 1. 
Aseph, m. Eunice Case ; whose ch were : — William, Mary, 
Benjamin, James, Aseph, Timothy, Bethia and Daniel. 
His second wife was Hannah Batchelder ; whose ch. were : — 
Jane and Charles. 2. Rebecca, d. 3. Jonathan, m. Mary 
Nichols ; whose ch. were : — Aseph, Hubbard, Moses, Eunice, 
Orrison, Edmund, Cruso, Rebecca, Mary, Fanny and Har- 
rison. 4. Rebecca. 5. Martin, m. Prudence Kendall ; 
whose ch. were : — Isaac, Mary, Alvin, Annis, David, Ada- 
line, Bartlett Stoddard, Benjamin and Martin. 6. Anna, 
m. Marshall Stoddard ; whose ch. were : — Marshall, Anna, 
Jane and Benjamin. 7. Miriam, m. Bartlett Stoddard ; 
whose ch. were : — Bartlett and Nancy Keziah, d. 8. Keziah. 
Mr. Kendall d. in 1841, ae. 96. 

Kneeland, Timothy, from Harvard, was the third inhabi- 
tant of the town ; (Samuel Cook was the second inhabitant of 
Gardner, and lived where Aaron L. Greenwood now resides ; 
nothing more can be ascertained concerning him, as he moved 
from town in the early part of its history.) He located 
about one and one-half miles west of the center of the town, 
(which was then Winchendon,) was a carpenter, had a good 
education and was much employed in town affairs. He was 



FAMILY HISTORY. gf 

a soldier in the Revolutionary war three years and three 
months. There are none of his descendants now residing 
in Gardner. Soon after they came here, (while they went 
by marked trees,) Mrs. Kneeland visited at Mr. Bancroft's, 
one of the neighbors ; on her return home she lost the path 
and wandered several miles until she came to Otter river, 
and not knowing where she was, called loudly for help ; 
having a child with her, they sat down on a log to rest, and 
being warm, she took ofF her bonnet ; hearing a crackling of 
something coining towards her and thinking it must be a bear 
or a wolf, she screamed, when her own dog barked in an- 
swer : she always called that the most joyful moment of her 
life ; when she got her child asleep she arose and told the 
dog to go home. She forgot her bonnet and never found it 
afterwards, or knew the place where the dog found her. Be- 
fore the incorporation of the town they attended meeting in 
Templeton ; at one time, the snow being deep, they put on 
rackets and walked four miles to meeting, carrying a child to 
be baptized. Mrs. Kneeland was a very enterprising wo- 
man, as the following anecdote will show : One night after 
her family had retired to rest she had ten yards to weave to 
complete the web ; the cloth belonged to a lady in Temple- 
ton, and being in want of the pay she labored through the 
night and finished the web at the dawn of day. He m. 
Maria Stone ; their ch. were : — 1. Maria, m. Josiah Nichols ; 
whose ch. were: — Andrew, Sarah, David, Levi, Sabria and 
Fanny. 2. Oliver, m. Betsy Baldwin ; whose ch. were : — 
Israel, Lucy, Silas, Esther, Betsy, Levi, Abner and Edward. 
3. John, m. Mary Johnson; whose ch. were : — Mary Cyn- 
thia, Electa, Lucy, Bial, Arza, Eliza and John W. 4. Mi- 
riam. 5. Asa, m. Hannah Cheney ; whose ch. were : — John, 
Phyland, Hannah G., Dulcena, Asa, Maria, Abner, Leonard, 

4^ 



38 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



Sarah, Gardner and Averill. 6. Abner, m. Waity Orms- 
bee ; whose ch were : — Waitstill, Sophronia and John S. 
His second wife was Lucinda Mason ; whose ch were : — 
Lucinda and Abner 0. His third wife was Mrs. Osburn. 
His fourth wife was a lady from Boston. Abner Kneeland, 
whose fame reached almost every country, was brought up 
in the good old-fashioned ways of our ancestors. Being 
naturally of a strong mind, he, with but little assistance, 
gained a good education, and was employed in the capacity 
of a school-teacher for some time. In 1802 he published a 
spelling-book of 200 pages, entitled the "American Definition 
Spelling Book." He was engaged as a merchant for a time, 
but adhering to the principle of justice and honesty, depend- 
ing upon prosperity for a living, the tide of fortune rolled 
the wrong way, and he gave up the business for the carpen- 
ter's trade; saying, the only way to be rich, is to be con- 
tented with what you have ; thus making the beggar as rich 
as the king could possibly be on his throne. In 1805 he 
was ordained as a Baptist minister in Langdon, N. H., and 
for several years was a member of that denomination. Af- 
terwards he was a preacher of universal salvation for some 
years. Subsequently he became a deist, and was for many 
years the editor of the Boston Investigator. He d. in 1844, 
ae. 70. 7. Lucy, m. Paul Stearns; whose ch. were: — 
Timothy Kneeland, Lucy, Thomas, John Milton, (who is a 
Counsellor and Attorney at law, in Williamsburg, N. Y.,) 
Sarah, Benjamin Franklin, (a merchant in Felchville, Vt.,) 
and George Washington, (twins,) (is a minister and physi- 
cian in New Bedford, Mass.,) Paul W. and Honestus. 8. 
Sarah, m. Mr. Phinney. 9. Edward, d. 10. Silas, m. 
Martha Laws ; whose ch. were : — Lucy, Maria, Martha, Ira, 
Joel, Nancy, Abel L. M., George W. S. and Mary. Mr. 
Kneeland d. in 1818, ae. 81. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



39 



Kelton, Samuel, from Needham, was a farmer, residing 
in the north part of the town, where his grandson, Charles 
Kelton, now lives. He m. Mary Leeds ; their ch. were : — 
1. Lemuel, m. Martha Angier ; whose ch. were: — Martha, 
Abigail and Samuel. 2. Esther. 3. Enos, m. Dorothy- 
Winchester ; whose ch. were : — Louisa, George, Selina, 
Charles and Lucinda. 4. William. 5. Eliam, m. Sophia 
Hosley; whose ch. were: — David and Nancy. Mary, m. 
Stillman Holdeh. Mr. Kelton was 79 years of age. 

Kendall, Abel, from Sterling, was a farmer, residing in 
the east part of the town ; was a very active man and much 
employed in town affairs. He staid in town but a few years. 
The name of his wife is not on record : their ch. were : — 
Abel, m. Betsy Childs ; whose ch. were : — Betsy, Mary, 
Silas, d., Lucinda, Silas, Heman, d., Wilder, d., Ezra, He- 
man Wilder and Lima Sawyer. 

Kemp, John, from Groton, was a miller, in the south 
part of the town. He m. Sarah Shattuck ; their ch. were : — 
1. Jonathan, m. Fidelia Johnson. 2. Sarah, m. Amos Ray ; 
whose ch. were : — Eliza Ann, Sarah Maria, Elvira and 
Charles Hudson. His second wife was Hephzibah Garfield ; 
they had one child, whose name was Lucy G. 3. Betsy, m. 
Amos Gates ; whose ch. were : — Walter, George, Webster 
and Adaline. 4. Amy, m. John Eaton ; whose ch. were : — 
Thomas, Milley, Sarah, Nathaniel, James, Wendell, Simeon, 
Jefferson, Francis and Charles. 5. John, m. Sylvia Sawin. 
6. Olive, m. Almond Ray ; whose ch. were :— Malvina, Lucy 
Ann, Harriet, Elmira and Jane. 7. Nancy, m. Benjamin 
A. Gates ; whose ch. were : — Viola, Francis, Lucy, Mary, 
Isaac, Newell, Alvin, Hiram, Eliza, Edward and Ellen. 8. 
Lucy, m. David Kendall; whose ch. were : — Eliza, George, 



40 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



Webster, Ellen, Josephine, Charles and Frank. Mr. Kemp 
d. in 1853, ae. 82. 

Leland, Simeon, (son of Simeon, and grand-son of Wil- 
liam Leland,) from Sherburne, settled as a farmer, where 
now resides Charles Green. He m. Rhoda Hill ; their ch. 
were: — 1. Lynda. 2. Hollis, m. Betsy Graves ; whose ch. 
were :— Charles H., Simeon, Ebenezer Franklin, Almon 
Augustus, Aaron Sanford, Stephen Nelson, Eveline Eliza- 
beth, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clinton and Alonzo Davis. 
3. Btllarmine, m. Harriet Hill; whose ch. were: — Simeon, 
David W., Ezra, Rhoda, Levi, Bellarmine, d., and Bellar- 
mine. 4. Simon, m. in the Western country, and was noted 
for trading with the Indians, who were very fond of whi ky, 
and would often beg and plead for it ; at one time an Indian 
plead so earnestly that Mr. Leland asked him if he would 
have a finger cut off, whereupon he laid his hand upon a 
block, willing to sacrifice it for whisky. Mr. L. did not ac- 
cept his hand ; whether the Indian got his whisky or not, I 
am unable to say. 5. Elbridge, m. Betsy Priest ; they had 
one child whose name was Lucy R. His second wife was 
Eliza Punchon ; whose ch. were : — H. N. Bolton, Edwin, 
Amasa P., Mary Ann, John, Edward, Jane 0., Sarah E. 
and Rachel E. 6. Rhoda, m. Silas Seaver ; whose ch. 
were : — Martha, Lvnda, Mary, Amanda, Lucy, Samuel, San- 
ford, Smyrna and Rhoda Ann. Mr. Leland d. in 1 823, ae. 64. 

Lynde, William, from Maiden, became an inhabitant of 
Gardner, and owned the valuable farm where his son, Wil- 
liam S. Lynde, now resides. He was a valuable citizen. He 
m. Mary Waite ; they had one child whose name was Wil- 
liam Sargeant, who in. Christiana Comee ; their ch. were : — 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



41 



Mary Malvina, James Porter,'" Charles, Cclia, Sarah Put- 
nam and Leander Comee. His second wife was Mrs. Bol- 
ton ; whose ch. were : — Octavia Ann and Harriet Melinda, 
d. Mr. Lynde d. in 1841, ae. 76. 

Learned, Samuel, from Cambridge, was a farmer and 
blacksmith, residing in the east part of the town. He m. 
Lydia Knapp ; their ch. were: — 1. William, m. Rebecca 
Nichols ; whose ch. were : — William Howard, Lydia Knapp, 
Walter Nichols, Rebecca Lynde, Emily Adaline, Francis 
and Lucy Pierce. His second wife was Lois Davis ; they 
had one child whose name was Myron. 2. Samuel, m. Abi- 
gail Jaquith ; whose ch. were : — Samuel and John. His 
second wife was Jerusha Haynes ; whose ch. were : — Turel 
and Jerusha. His third wife was Sarah Joslin ; whose ch. 
were : — William and Frank. His fourth wife was Mrs. 
Eaton. 3. Lydia, in. Winslow Davis ; whose ch. were : — 
Samuel, Mary L., Martha L., Silas, Porter, Charles and 
Sarah A. 4. Anna. 5. John, m. Maria Miller ; whose ch. 
were : — John, Susan, Abby, Alonzo and Lucy. His second 
wife was Betsy Miller. 6 and 7. Mary and Martha, (twins ;) 
Mary, m. Charles Green, whose ch. were : — Fanny, Mary, 
Nathan, Charles Henry and Emma Augusta. Martha, m. 
George M. Travers ; whose ch. were : — Martha Elizabeth 
and Mary Frances. 8. Ebenezer Turel, m. Mary White ; 
whose ch. were : — Sarah Matilda, Susan Tufts, Mary White, 
Lydia Knapp, Anna Martha, Ellen Maria and Josephine 
Dorr. Mr. Learned d. in 1847, ae. 77. 

Matthews, John, from Holden, located as a farmer, where 
his grandson, Joel Matthews, now resides. He was a soldier 

*Now a practicing Physician in Athol. 



42 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



in the Revolutionary war six months. He m. Patience 
Graves ; their ch were : — 1. John, m. Mary Turner ; whose 
ch. were : — Abel, Edward Turner, Betsy Knowlton and 
Lucy. 2. Abel, m. Lucretia Wilder ; whose ch. were : — 
Parney and Abel. 3. Patience. 4. Joel, m. Sarah Cool- 
idge ; whose ch. were : — Phebe, Joel, James Coolidge, Betsy 
Gould, Sarah, Lydia, Lewis Glazier, Hezekiah and Lucy 
Glazier. 5. Priscilla, m. Luke Baker; whose ch. were: — 
Joel, Asa, Richard and Abel. 6. Lydia, m. Joel Fisher. 
7. Phebe. 8. Hezekiah, Mr. Matthews d. in 1817, ae. 82. 

Martin, Jonathan, came from Lunenburg in the year 1793, 
established himself as a farmer in the west part of the town ; 
the place is now owned by Seth Whitney. He m. Susanna 
Taylor; their ch. were : — 1. John. 2. David. 3. George, 
m. Panny Brickley ; they had one child whose name was 
Susanna. He d. of the small pox in Montreal. 4. Jonathan, 
m. Lydia Dukley. 5. James, m. Lucy Travers; whose ch. 
were : — David Taylor, Eliza Ann, Susan, James Loyd, John, 
Edwin and Edward, (twins,) Elijah Travers, George, Jona- 
than Walter.* His second wife was Mary Wadsworth ; 
whose ch. were: — Lucy, Maria and Catharine. His third 
wife was Mary Upton; whose ch. were: — Frederick, Mary 
and Lucy. His family are all singers and teachers in music 
and other branches of literature. 6. Susanna, m. Austin 
Parker; whose ch. were: — Marion B., Frederick, Damaris, 
and Norman. 7. Betsy, d. 8. Betsy, m. Elijah Travers ; 
whose ch. were : — George Martin, Lydia Pierce, Charles 
Sumner, Fidelia Waterman, Betsy Lane Lawrence, Sarah 
Sergeant, Horace Parker, Elijah Clement and Otis Aureleas. 
9. Lucy, m. Barton Geary; whose ch. were : — Sarah Eme- 

* A practicing Physician in Worcester. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



43 



line, Stephen, Lucy Arminda, Martin Van Buren, Harris, 
Lafayette and Elmina. Mr. Martin d. in 182G. 

Merriam, Jonathan, from Westminster, was a farmer in 
the north-east part of the town, where Asa Raymond now 
resides. He m. Betsy Harris; whose ch. were: — Jacob 
Harris, (was a minister, receiving his education at Bangor, 
Maine ;) Nathan, Betsy Winchester, d., Sarah Harris, Samuel 
Harris, Milton and Betsy. 

Miles, Oliver, from Concord, was a cabinet-maker, living 
where Mrs. Addison Gates now resides. He m. Sarah Jos- 
lin ; their ch. were : — 1. Orinda, m. Andrew Mentser ; whose 
ch. were : — Orinda, William and Andrew. 2. John Joslin, 
m. Sarah Mosman ; whose ch. were : — Ezra and George. 
3. Charles, m. Sophia Brown. 4. Walter, m. Miss Ingalls. 
5. Luke, m. Mary Ann Conant ; whose ch. were: — Mary 
Ann and Luke. 6. Cyrus, m. Ann Whitney. 7. Harriet, 
m. Charles Crane. Mr. Miles removed from Gardner some 
years since. 

Miles, John, from Concord, is now living with his daugh- 
ter, about a mile east of the center of the town ; was a far- 
mer while he was able to labor. He m. Mary Mosman ; 
their ch. were : — 1. Mary. 2. Louisa, m. John Dalrymple ; 
whose ch. were : — John Miles, William, George Healy, Mary 
Augusta, Laura Eliza, d., and Ellen Laura. 

Nichols, David, from Reading ; was a farmer and black- 
smith. He resided near South Gardner, on the place now 
owned by Joseph Metcalf; was a valued citizen while he 
lived, but died in the prime of life. He m. Rebecca Bur- 
knap ; whose ch. were : — 1 . David, m. Rachel Howard ; whose 
ch. were : — Lydia, David, Betsy, Isaac, Nathan, Rebecca, 



44 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



Edmund, Amos, Elvira, Emily and Charles. 2. Kendall, 
m. Deborah Partridge ; whose ch. were : — Amos, Aseph, 
Joseph, Burlmap, Isaac and William ; the two last mentioned 
were drowned while on an excursion of pleasure. 3. Re- 
becca. 4. Mary. 5. Isaac, m. Nancy Dodge ; whose ch. 
were : — Farwell, Nancy, Lucy and Lyman. 6. Asa, m. 
Mary Derby ; whose ch. were : — Merrick, Burknap, Wash- 
ington, Lucy and William. 7. Sarah. 8. Edmund, m. 
Esther Jackson ; they had one child whose name was Frank- 
lin. His second wife was Rhoda Forbush ; whose ch. were : — 
Esther, Edmund, Martha and Amos. 9. John, m. Betsy 
Stevens ; whose ch. were : — Eliza, Betsy, Charles Curtis, 
John Loring, Thomas Otis, Abel Stevens, Mary and Mar- 
tha, (twins,) and Franklin. Mr. Nichols d. at the age of 50. 

Noyes, Adam, from Littleton, was a merchant in South 
Gardner, and also kept a public house. He m. Mehitable 
Tuttle ; whose ch. were : — Henry Warren, Thomas Russel, 
Adam Simedor, Charles M. A., d., Maria Miriam and Charles 
Addison. He moved from Gardner many years ago. 

Osgood, Jonathan, from Westford, was the first minister 
settled in Gardner ; (he is spoken of more particularly in 
the ecclesiastical department.) He m. Orange Wardsworth; 
their ch. were : — 1. Amelia Lewis Fenn. 2. Eliza Orange 
Wardsworth, m. Joshua M. Whitcomb ; whose ch. were : — 
Jonathan 0., Harriet E., Joshua M. and Charles W,* 3. 
Jonathan Walter Dondolo, m. Eliza Barnard ; they had one 
child whpse name was Walter B. His second wife was 
Miss M. F. Stone; whose ch. were: — James S., Eliza F. 
and Caroline P. He graduated at Dartmouth. College, was 

* Is now a Physician in Barre. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



45 



a physician in Tcmpleton for many years, and is now resid- 
ing in Greenfield. 4. Amanda Almira, m. Clement Jewett : 
whose ch. were : — George, Mary and Sarah. 5. Harrison 
Mortimer, m. Miss Leonard. Mr. Osgood d. in 1822, ae. Gl. 

Payson, Joseph, from Framingham, was a farmer and 
shoemaker, living in the east part of the town, where his 
grandson, Joseph P. Howe, now resides. He m. Mary Hill ; 
their ch. were: — 1. Mary. 2. Susanna. 3. Eleanor, m. 
Uriah Clapp. His second wife was Azubah Wilder ; whose 
ch. were : — Asahel, Daniel, Mary, d., Bellona and Lovell. 
His second wife was Betsy Leach. His third wife was Mrs. 
Hale. Mr. Payson d. in 1832, ae. 89. 

Perley, Allen, from Ward, (now Auburn,) was a farmer, 
living where his son, Dea. Asa Perley, now resides. He 
m. Juda Case ; their ch. were : — 1. Susanna, m. Mr. Marsh : 
whose ch were : — George, Daniel, Ebenezer, Presson and 
Susan. 2. Allen, m. Anna Greenwood ; whose ch. were : — 
Martha, Sylvia, and Elizabeth. 3. Sarah. 4. David, m. 
Miriam Partridge ; whose ch. were : — Almira, Anna, Thu- 
seba, Hannah Bigelow, David, Mary Ann, Adam and Hiram. 
(twins,) d., Asa and Henry. 5. Anna, m. George W. 
Davis ; whose ch. were : — Walter, George, Alonzo and 
Betsy. His second wife was Betsy Conant ; whose ch. 
were : — Lyman, Leander, Anna Perley, Maria, Lucy Ann. 
Silas and Charles. His third wife was Miss Rich. 6. Asa, 
m. Mary Kendall ; whose ch. were : — Mary Elmira, Asa 
Proctor, Charles Addison, William Porter, George Allen. 
James Munroe, Francis Walter, Theophilus Parsons, Lean- 
der Alonzo, Lewis F. and Ellen Maria. 

Partridge, Jabez, from Sherburne, located as a farmer in 

5 



46 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



the south part of the towD, where his grandson, Seneca 
Partridge, now resides. He was one of the first inhabitants 
of the town. He m. Anna Twichell ; their ch were: — 1. 
Adam, d. 2. Deborah, m. Elisha Pierce ; whose ch. were : — 
Nancy, Louisa, Elisha, Amos and Hannah. 3. Adam, m. 
Mary Jackson ; whose ch. were : — Asa, Seneca, Oran, Caro- 
line, Loenza, Adam, Mary and Louisa. 4. Hannah, m. Mr. 
Bigelow ; whose ch. were : — Anna, Cynthia and Miriam. 5. 
Cynthia, m. Luke Whitney ; whose ch. were : —Orison, Thu- 
seba, d., Luke, Cynthia, Thuseba, William, Anna, Jerome, 
Mary, Eliza and Asa. 6. Miriam. 7. Henry. 

Partridge, Reuben, from Sherburne, was a farmer, living 
in the south part of the town. He m. Mary Perry ; their 
ch. were: — 1. Deborah. 2. Mary, m. Samuel Hill; whose 
ch. were : — Amos, Moses, John, Nathaniel and William. 

Pierce, John, was a farmer, living in the east part of the 
town. He left Gardner many years since. The names of 
their ch. were : — Nathan, Lucy, Peter, Abigail, John and 
Susanna. 

Priest, Joseph, from Winchendon, located as a farmer in 
the west part of the town, where now resides Nahum Wal- 
lace. He m. Patience Stiles ; their ch. were : — 1. Levi, m. 
Hannah Woodbury; whose ch. were: — Joseph, Milo, Levi 
Woodbury, Francis Dana and Nancy. His second wife was 
Prudence Hyde. 2. Joseph. 3. Lucy. 4. Jacob, m. Mary 
Clark ; whose ch. were : — Joseph, Willard, Mary, Martha, 
Betsy, Lucy, Eliza and Harriet. 5. Betsy. 6. Caleb, m. 
Louisa Gage; whose ch. were: — Lorenzo S., Caleb A., 
Julius W., George B., Calvin Monroe, Francis 0. and Nancy 
L. Mr. Priest d. in 1814, ae. 60. 



FAMILY HISTORY 



47 



Penniman, Ezra, from Braintree, was a farmer, in the 
west part of the town, where Heman Ray now resides. He 
m. Lovisa Eager; their ch. were: — 1. Lovisa, m. Uriah 
Merritt. 2. Abigail, m. Isaiah Howe ; whose ch. were : — 
Sylvester, Almira and Franklin. 3. Benjamin. 4. Sarah, 
m. Jesse Hill ; whose ch. were : — Joseph Milton, Sarah, 
Edwin, Calvin and Eliza. Her second husband was Benja- 
min Wood; whose ch. were: — Betsy, Amanda, Lowell, 
Oliver, Greorge Franklin and Mary Ann. 5. Mary, m. Mr. 
Chevers. 6. Betsy, d. 7. Susan, m. I. Sumner Merritt; 
whose ch. were : — Simeon and Ezra. 8. Tabitha, m. Gran- 
ville Williams. Her second husband was Mr. Bacon. Mr. 
Penniman d. in 1823. 

Putnam, John, from Dan vers, was a farmer, in the east 
part of the town. He m. Anna Penniman ; their ch. were : — 
1. John. 2. Amasa, m. Mary Temple ; whose ch. were : — 
Amasa, Mary Temple, Lucy, Martha Barker, Nancy, Sarah 
W. and Betsy Heywood. 3. Nancy, m. Joseph Whitney; 
whose ch. were : — Ivers, Eliza and Caroline. 4. Elijah, m. 
M. Elmira Bancroft ; whose ch. were : — Mary E., Viola and 
William. 5. William, m. Mary Ann Flood; whose ch. 
were : — Mary Ann, Emeline, Louisa, William Elijah, Lucy 
Adalaide, James Amasa and Ivers John. Mr. Putnam's age 
was 77. 

Pratt, Aaron, resided in the south-east part of the town. 

He m. Befesy ; their ch. were : — 1. Aaron. 2. Betsy. 

3. Mercy. 4. John. 5. Lovisa. 6. Susanna. 7. Wil- 
liam, m. Sarah Matthews ; whose ch. were : — Aaron, Otis, 
Sarah, Joel, William, Walter and Eliza. 8. llussel, m. Ann 
Wheeler ; whose ch. were : — John, Henry and Charles. Mr. 
Pratt d. in 1812. 



48 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



Richardson, Jonas, from Worcester, located in the north- 
east part of the town, where Stillman Holden now resides ; 
he was a shoe-maker, and like other people of that occupa- 
tion in those days, would take his tools and go about from 
house to house making up shoes for the year. He m. Mary 
Bailey; their ch. were: — 1. Azubah, m. Benjamin Pierce; 
whose ch. were : — Benjamin and Azubah. 2. Abel, in. 
Sarah Lincoln. His second wife was Mrs. Whitcomb. 3. 
Mary, m. Benjamin Hill; they had one child whose name 
was John. 4. Betsy, m. Jonathan Currier ; whose ch. 
were : — Mary, Hannah, Betsy, Nathan and Almira. 5. 
Persis. 6. Hattie, m. Daniel Currier ; whose ch. were: — 
Joseph and Benjamin, (twins,) and Lucinda. Her second 
husband was Robinson Howe ; whose ch. were : — Huldah, 
Catharine, Sophia and Mary. 7. Jonas, m. Abigail Currier ; 
whose ch. were: — Mary Jane, Charles and Abel. 8. Asa, 
m. Elizabeth Glazier ; whose ch. were : — Lydia, Elizabeth, 
d., Francis, Lucy, Jonas, Persis, d., and Isaac. 9. Nathan, 
m. Sophia Boutelle ; whose ch. were : — Thomas B., Louisa 
B., Charles, LoenzaB., Henry H., Jonas Bailey and Sarah 
Sophia. His second wife was Lydia Woodbury ; they had 
one child whose name was Levi, m. Lovisa Pratt ; whose 
ch. were : — Lydia Elizabeth, Mason and Jason, (twins.) Mr. 
Richardson d. in 1815, ae. 72. 

Reed, David, from Stowe, was a farmer in the south-east 
part of the town ; he had a house burnt many years ago ; 
being frightened, he carried out a tub of sap that was sup- 
posed to have been sufficient to have extinguished it, had 
he applied it to that purpose. He m. Naomi Wright ; their 
ch. were: — 1. Abram. 2. Asa, d. 3. David, m. Mary 
Smith; whose ch. were: — David, d., Allen, d., David, Joel 
and Mary Naomi. 4. Asa, m. Rhoda Brooks ; whose ch. 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



49 



were : — Mary Ann, Rhoda Elizabeth and David Washburn. 
Mr. Reed d. in 1820, ae. 66. 

Saunders, Samuel, from Ashby, was a farmer, living in 
the south-east part of the town, where his grand-son, Frank- 
lin Saunders, now resides. He m. Lydia Boynton ; their 
ch. were : — 1 . Lydia and Sarah, (twins,) Lyclia, m. Phile- 
mon Stacy ; whose ch. were : — John, Philemon, and Joseph. 
Her second husband was William Fortiner. Sarah, m. 
Whitman Austin. 3. Abigail, m. Jonas Shepherd. 4. Pa- 
tience, m. Oliver Clark. 5. Ruth, m. Isaac Holbrook. 6. 
Lucy, m. Asa Fairbanks. 7. Samuel, m. Rachel Turner ; 
whose ch. were : — Rachel, John, Joseph and Samuel. 8. 
Moses, in. Sarah Underwood; whose ch. were: — Betsy, d., 
Cynthia, d., Amos Underwood, d., Willard, Maria, Frank- 
lin, Eunice, Amos, Isaac, Jacob Wright and Joseph Lee. 
9 Jonas, m. Hannah Trask. 10. Aaron, m. Sarah Gragg. 
11. Abram, m. Betsy Trask. 

Stone, Samuel, from Grroton, purchased a lot of wild land 
in the north part of the town ; the same that is now the town 
farm ; he cleared the land and erected buildings thereon ; 
he was a very substantial man, and a great help in building 
up the town. He m. Martha Wilder; their ch. were: — 1. 
Eunice, m. Israel Stone ; whose ch. were : — Simon, Ausbon, 
Nelson and Mary. 2. Samuel, m. Susan Haynes ; whose 
^ch. were : — Martha, Reuben, Susan, Joseph, Willis and 
Betsy. 3. Joseph, m. Miss Stiles; whose ch were: — -Har- 
vey and Hezekiah. 4. Josiah, m. Eunice Haynes ; whose 
ch. were : — Mary, Eunice, Susan, Martha and Ezra. 5. 
Martha. 6 and 7. Benjamin and Oliver, (twins ;) Benja- 
min, in. Lucy Wheeler; whose ch. were : — Leonard, d., Ai, 
Calvin, Albert, Leonard, Samson, Lucy and Judson. His 

5* 



50 



FAMILY niSTOEY. 



second wife was Susannah Rolph. Oliver, m. Miss Bradley ; 
whose ch. were : — Mary, Miranda and Betsy. 8. Mary, m. 
Jonas Patch ; they had one child whose name was Mary. 9. 
Abram, m. Abigail Barrel ; whose ch. were : — Abigail, 
Lydia, Mary, Abram and Fanny. 10. Diedamia, m. Joel 
Walker ; whose ch. were : — Miriam, Emily, Bellona, Louisa, 
Lucy, Raymond, Alvah, Martha and Charles. 11. Miriam. 
Mr. Stone d. in 1831, ae. 80. 

• 

Stone, Simon, from Templeton, was a farmer, and had a 
saw-mill where Ai Stone now resides. He m. Rhoda Stone ; 
whose ch. were : — Rhoda and Simon. His second wife was 
Miss Boynton ; they had one child whose name was Joseph 
Whitemore. His third wife was Keziah Kendall. Mr. 
Stone moved from Gardner many years since. 

Sawyer, Jude, from Lancaster, bought a place in the south 
part of the town, now occupied by Ezekiel Grates ; was a 
farmer and blacksmith, and was noted for making steel traps ; 
he made one after he was ninety years of age. He m. Phebe 
Keyes. Mr. Sawyer d. in 1843, ae. 93. 

Simonds, Elijah, from Shirley, was a farmer, living in the 

south part of the town. He m. Abigail ; their ch. 

were : — 1. Elizabeth, d. 2. Elijah, d. 3. Elijah, m. Persis 
Richardson ; whose ch. were : — Mary, Asa and Sumner 
Jackson. 4. Jonathan. 5. Ezekiel. 6. David. 7. Abi- 
gail, d. 8. Asa. 9. Abigail. 10. Lucy. 

Simonds, Joseph, from Boston, was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war, and noted for his bravery and faithfulness ; 
the sentinel's post being dangerous, but few were willing to 
occupy that place : Mr. Simonds was a volunteer in that 
department for the sake of the compensation ; he used to 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



51 



tell a story of its being so dark one night that he " couldn't 
hold up his hand;" meaning that he could not see it were it 
before him. He m. Miriam Pratt. 

Sawin, Benjamin, from Westminster, was a farmer, resid- 
ing about a mile south of the centre of the town ; the place 
is now owned by G. F. Parish. He m. Lucy Laws ; whose 
ch. were : — Lucy and Benjamin. 

Seaver, Ethan, from Westminster, was a farmer, in the 

east part of the town. He m. Lydia ; their ch. were : — 

1. Luther, m. Eunice Holden ; whose ch. were: — Sarah 
Holden, Luther, Mary Bancroft and John Holden. 2. 
Lydia, m. Mr. Bancroft. 3. Aaron, m. Louisa Fairbanks ; 
whose ch. were : — Abigail, Fanny, Joseph and Lucy. Mr. 
Seaver d. in 1823, ae. 58. 

Scollay, James, from Ashburnham, was a farmer, in the 
east part of the town, where John Brinkman now resides. 
He m. Dolly Corey ; their ch. were: — 1. Dolly, m. Amasa 
Whitney ; whose ch. were : — Charles and James. 2. Sarah, 
m. David Parker, M. D., his first wife was Eliza Sawin; 
whose ch. were: — Lucy, Eliza, d., and Horace Fletcher. 
His second wife was Sarah Scollay ; they had one child 
whose name was Eliza. 3. James, m. Lucy M. Young; 
whose ch. were : — George and Lucy Maria. 4. Charles, m. 
Elizabeth A. Garfield. 5. Lucy, m. Alfred H. Brick ; whose 
ch. were : — Francis, Eliza, d., and Harriet Shattuck. His 
second wife was Martha C. Mahoney ; whose ch. were : — 
George A., Henry H., Charles E. and Helen M. 6. Ezra. 
Mr. Scollay d. in 1852. ae. 69. 

Temple, Ephraim, from Shrewsbury, was a farmer, resid- 



52 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



ing on the place now occupied by his grand-son, Seth H. 
Temple. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Jacob Hinds, of Shrews- 
bury. His second wife was Mary Farrar ; their ch. were : — 
1. Francis, was drowned on his way home from Maine, in 
consequence of a storm, and was cast away on the shore of 
the town of Rye. 2. Isaac, m. Elizabeth Houghton. 3. 
Ephraim, m. Sybil Ray ; whose ch. were ; — Mary, Nancy, 
Asa, d., andPhebe. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted as 
a soldier in the army, and was on duty most of the time dur- 
ing the Ptevolutionary war ; he was taken prisoner by the 
enemy and carried to New York ; after much suffering, was 
redeemed by way of exchange. After the war was over he 
spent the remainder of his days in Gardner, as a farmer, 
residing where his daughter, Mrs. Holden, now lives. He 
received a pension for many years, and d. in 1840, ae. 80. 
4. Ezra, it is supposed that he died in the army. 5. Ahio, 
m. Elizabeth Heywood ; whose ch. were : — Martha, Betsy, 
Francis, d., Mary, Ahio, d., Asa, Seth Heywood and Lucy, 
d. He cleared the land and brought it to cultivation, where 
his son, Seth II . Temple, now lives ; he possessed an enter- 
prising spirit, was useful and instrumental in building up 
the town. He d. in 1834, ae. 70. 6. Loammi. Mr. Tem- 
ple d. in West Boylston, in 1789, ae.. 62. 

Wheeler, Josiah, from Westminster, was a farmer, in the 
east part of the town ; was one of the first thirty of the early 
settlers ; he was engaged in the French war a short time. 
This place is now occupied by Asa Smith. He m. Lucy 
Graves; their ch. were: — 1. Priscilla, d. 2. Lucy, m. 
Jonathan Whitney. 3. Abigail. 4. Dolly. 5. Patience, 
d. 6. Richard. 7. Josiah. 8. Betsy. 9. Levi, d. 10. 
Reuben, m. Betsy Nichols ; whose ch. were : — David, Cal- 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



53 



vin, Josiah Mason, Reuben, Elvira and Charles Addison. Mr. 
Wheeler d. in 1823. 

Wood, Elijah, was a farmer, in the south-west part of the 

town. He m. Isabella ; whose ch. were : — Isabella, 

Elijah Bixby, Susanna, Eunice, Abel, Dolly and Timothy. 
Nothing more could be ascertained with regard to Mr. Wood 
or his family. 

White, John, from Lexington, was a farmer, in the east 
part of the town, and settled on the place now owned by 
John Brinkman. He m. Ruth Holden ; their ch. were : — 
1. Betsy. 2. Abigail, d. 3. John, m. Persis Cowee ; 
whose ch. were : — John, Louisa, Horatio Nelson, Abner 
and Leander. 4. Mary, m. John Parker ; whose ch. were : — 
Lucy, d., Adaline, d., Oscar Alonzo, Frederick, Mary, Lucy 
White and Abner White. 5. Augustine. 6. Abner. 7. 
Rebecca. 8. Lucy. 9. Abigail. Mr. White d. in 1806, 
ae. 5.9. 

Wilder, Josiah, from Sterling, was a farmer, in the north 
part of the town, where Eliam Kelton now resides. He m. 
Hezediah Larkin ; their ch. were : — 1. Azubah. 2. Katie, 
m. Abel Burpy ; whose ch. were : — Samuel Stillman, Mary 
Ann, Catharine Wilder, Sophia, Relief and James. His 
second wife was Joanna Baker ; whose ch. were : — 1. Heze- 
diah. 2. Josiah, m. Mary Wheeler; whose ch. were: — 
Betsy, Mary, Clarissa and Josiah. 3. David. 4. Isaac, 
m. Percia Jones ; whose ch. were : — Homar, Isaac, Asa, 
Mary, Abel and David. 5. Joanna. Mr. Wilder d. in 
1826, ae. 76. 

Wheeler, Joel, from Concord, located as a farmer in the 
north part of the town ; the place is now owned by his 



54 



FAMILY HISTORY. 



grand-son, Francis L. Wheeler ; lie built a grist and saw-mill 
near where John Cowee's mill now stands. He m. Dorcas 
Stearns; their ch. were: — 1. Timothy, m. Mary Stearns; 
whose ch. were: — Stephen and Timothy. 2. Mary. 3. 
Lucy. 4. Joel, m. Martha Kelton ; whose ch. were : — Ho- 
ratio Perkins, Francis Lincoln, Edwin Jewett and Lucretia 
Ann. His second wife was Lydia Emerson ; whose ch. 
were: — Betsy Emeline, Lucy L., d., and Mary L., d. 5. 
Betsy, m. Edward Lowd. Mr. Wheeler d. in 1807, ae. 58. 

Whitcomb, Jonathan P., was a farmer, in the east part 

of the town. He m. Tamar ; their ch. were: — 1. 

Jonathan, m. Eunice ; whose ch. were: — David, d., 

Eunice, David, Isaac, Mary and Thomas. 2. Annis. 3. 
Lucinda. 4. Sullivan. 5. Abram. Mr. Whitcomb left 
town many years since and little is known to us with regard 
to his family. 

Wilder, Elijah, was a farmer, living in the west part of 
the town. He m. Azubah Larkin ; whose ch. were : — Mary, 
Asawell, Persis, Phenice and Eri. The remainder of their 
history is unknown to us. 

Whitney, Joshua, from Harvard, was a farmer, in the 
south part of the town, where his son, Joseph Whitney, now 
resides : he was engaged in the Revolutionary war three 
years. He m. Vashti Knight ; their ch. were : — 1 . Oliver, m. 
Rebecca Nichols ; whose ch. were : — Joanna, Joshua, Ben- 
jamin, Sarah, Asa, Fidelia., William and Filetus. 2. Dor- 
cas, m. Edmund Nichols ; whose ch. were : — Joel and Betsy. 
3. Dolly. 4. Joseph, m. Nancy Sawin ; whose ch. were : — 
Joshua Avery, Fidelia, Asaph Blakely, Mary Jane, d., Ma- 
rietta, Nancy Jane, Abigail, Joseph Lincoln, Harriet Newell, 



FAMILY HISTORY. r~ 

Mary Sawyer, Frederick and Harvey. 5. Dolly, m. Asa 
Holden ; whose ch. were : — Eliza, Salome, George and Cal- 
vin. 6. Joshua, d. 7. John, m. Rachel Osgood ; whose 
ch. were : — Elvira, Harrison, Martha, Charles, Dexter and 
Jane. 8. Joel, d. 9. Silas, d. 10. Ebenezer. d. 11. 
Silas. 12. Mary, m. John Sawyer ; whose ch. were : — An- 
nis M., Silas and Mary A. Mr. Whitney d. in 1812, ae. 58. 

Wood, Jonathan, was a farmer, in the south-west part of 
the town, where J. P. Allen now resides. He m. Anna 

; their ch. were: — 1. Jonathan, m. Betsy Bancroft; 

whose ch. were : — Mary Bancroft, Betsy, Almon and Smyrna. 
His second wife was Sarah Perley ; whose ch. were : — Sarah 
Case and Nelson Perley. His third wife was Mrs. Morse. 

2. Catharine. His second wife was Lois ; whose ch. 

were : — Benjamin, Windsor and Oliver. Mr. Wood d. in 
1818. 

Wright, Joseph, from Sterling, was a farmer, in the south 
part of the town, where G-eorge W. Cowee now resides. He 
m. Rebecca Nichols; their ch. were: — 1. Rebecca. 2. 
Joseph, m. Nancy Eaton ; they had one child whose name 
was Charles Addison. 3. Nathaniel, m. Susan Edgell ; 
whose ch. were: — Susan, Marcus, Thomas, Francis and 
Martha. 4. Lucy. 5. Ephraim, m. Cyrena Wood ; they 
had one child whose name was William Wood, d. His 
second wife was Sarah W. Bancroft. His third wife was 
Eliza Brick ; their ch. were: — William Wood, Edwin, d, 
Eliza, d., Edwin, Charles, Henry and Anna Eliza. 6. Martha, 
m. Levi Heywood ; whose ch. were : — Calvin, Mary Whit- 
ney, Charles, Solon and Helen. 7. Louisa, m. Hiram Clark ; 
whose ch. were : — Harrison Otis, Joseph Wright, George 



o6 



FAMILY HISTORY 



Damon, Cyrus Porter, Eliza M., Louisa A., James F., Mary, 
Martha, Frederick and Charles. 8. Edward, m. Catharine 
Conant. 9. David, m. Elizabeth Gay; whose ch. were: — 
Catharine Augusta and Ellen Elizabeth. 10. Mary, m. 
Abijah M. Severy.* 11. Emily, m. Seth Heywood ; whose 
ch. were : — Henry, George, Frances and Mary. Mr. Wright 
d. in 1824, ae. 64. 



* By industry and integrity Mr. Severy acquired a handsome property, a 
part of which he bequeathed in the following- manner: $3,000 to be placed in 
ths hands of Trustees, the income of which is to be paid for the support and 
maintenance of the Gospel in connection with the Baptist Church and Society. 
Also, $1,000, the income of which is to be paid for the encouragement of Sacred 
Music in said Church and Society. He left $1,000, the income to be paid for 
the support of a School in the south village ; also, he gave in Cash to the So- 
cial Library Association of said village, $100 ; and left $500, the income to 
be paid to said Library Association. 

By Iiis benevolence he has caused the inhabitants of the village in which he 
resided, to cherish his memory with gratitude. Mr. Severy d. in 1842, ae. 34. 






TOWN HISTORY. 

The first warrant for a town meeting in Gard- 
ner, was issued by Nicholas Dyke, Esq., of West- 
minster, directed to Peter Goodale, of Gardner, 
ordering him to warn all the male inhabitants of 
Gardner, qualified by law to vote in town affairs, 
to meet at the house of John Glazier, on Mon- 
day, the 15th of August, 1785, for the purpose of 
choosing all town officers, as the law directs, for 
annual March meetings. 

The meeting was opened by Nicholas Dyke. 
Esq. 

At a town meeting held September, 1785, 

Voted, that it is the opinion of the Town, that 
the county road leading from Royalston to West- 
minster, ought to go through the center of Gard- 
ner. 

Voted, to build a meeting-house 60 feet in 

length, and 45 in width, with two porches. Chose 

a Committee to select a building spot for the 

same. 

6 



5$ TOWN HISTORY. 

Voted, and chose Samuel Kelton, Joseph 
Bacon, John White, Moses Hill, Committee, to 
draw a plan of the house ; also, to see what stock 
is needed for the same. 

Voted, and chose Elisha Jackson, Samuel Kel- 
ton, Simon Gates, Committee, to hire preaching. 

Voted, to hire four Sabbaths ; also, that the 
Town allow accounts, and that the Town Clerk 
provide books for keeping the records. 

Voted, that the Selectmen take a deed of Seth 
Heywood for four acres of land for the common, 
and give him security for the same in behalf of 
the Town. The price of the land is $100. 

Voted, to lay out the road two rods wide. Also, 
that the annual meeting be held on the first 
Monday in March. 

Voted, to let out the framing and finishing the 
outside of the meeting-house. Joseph Bacon 
took the job with the addition of laying the floor, 
making the doors and windows, — also, painting 
the house, the Town furnishing the materials, — 
for $575. The remainder of the work was let 
out in small jobs to different individuals. 

About this time the people of Massachusetts 
were in much distress on account of the scarcity 
of money, and many, perhaps not without some 



TOWN HISTORY. 



59 



reason, supposed the trouble arose from the mal- 
administration of the affairs of government. 

The discontented portion of the people were 
called insurgents, and were led by a Mr. Shays ; 
hence the name of " Shays' rebellion." To show 
the energy of the first settlers of this town, when 
they undertook to accomplish an object, the fol- 
lowing extract of a town meeting, held Septem- 
ber 25th, 1786, is inserted. 

It appears that a convention of reformers was 
to be holden at Paxton. 

Voted, to send a delegate to the convention at 
Paxton. Made choice of Capt. Samuel Kelton. 

Voted, to choose a Committee of three to give 
directions to the delegate chosen. 

Chose William Bickford, David Foster, Elijah 
Wilder, Committee. 

Voted, to adjourn this meeting for two hours, 
then to meet at this place. Met agreeable to 
the adjournment. The Committee make their 
Report as follows : 

Whereas, the difficulties and tumults that are 
rising by reason of the scarcity of money, and 
large salaries to support government, and high 
fees of officers at large : 

We desire that you will use your influence 



60 



TOWN HISTORY. 



that the salaries may be taken down, and sala- 
ries given that may be handsome for their sup- 
port, and not so burdensome to the people at 
large ; and that the lawyers and inferior Courts 
may be annihilated, and also that the General 
Court might not make any grants of State lands 
to any person except it is to pay State charges ; 
also, that the General Court may be removed 
out of Boston into some Country town. 

To Captain Samuel Kelton, chosen to sit in Convention. 

WILLIAM BICKFORD, ) 

DAVID FOSTER, } Committee. 

ELIJAH WILDER, ) 

Gardner, Sept. 25th, 1786. 

Voted, to accept of the Report of this Com- 
mittee. 

It may be interesting here to insert an extract 
from Lincoln's History of Worcester, giving an 
account of the Insurrection in Massachusetts. 

" The struggles of the Revolution were hardly terminated, 
ere disturbances arose among the people, which, in their 
progress, brought the Commonwealth to the very verge of 
ruin. 

Could the existence of insurrection and rebellion be ef- 
faced from memory, it would be wanton outrage to recall 
from oblivion the tale of misfortune and dishonor. But 



TOWN HISTORY. 



61 



those events cannot be forgotten : they have floated down 
in tradition : they are recounted by the winter fire-side, in 
the homes of New England : they are inscribed on roll and 
record in the archives and annals of the State. History, 
the mirror of the past, reflects, with painful fidelity, the , 
dark as well as the bright objects from departed years ; and 
although we may wish to contemplate only the glowing pic- 
ture of patriotism and prosperity, the gloomy image of civil 
commotion is still full in our sight, shadowing the back- 
ground with its solemn admonition. 

The investigation of the causes of the unhappy tumults 
of 1786, does not belong to the narrative of their local ef- 
fects on one of the principal scenes of action. But it would 
be great injustice to omit the statement, that circumstances 
existed, which palliate, though they do not justify the con- 
duct of those who took up arms against the government of 
their own establishment. After eight years of war, Massa- 
chusetts stood, with the splendor of triumph, in republican 
poverty, bankrupt in resources, with no revenue but of an 
expiring currency, and no metal in her treasury more pre- 
cious than the continental copper, bearing the devices of 
union and freedom. The country had been drained by taxa- 
tion for the support of the army of Independence, to the 
utmost limit of its means ; public credit was extinct, man- 
ners had become relaxed, trade decayed, manufactures lan- 
guishing, paper money depreciated to worthlessness, claims 
on the nation accumulated by the commutation of the pay 
of officers for securities, with a heavy and increasing pres- 
sure of debt resting on Commonwealth, corporations and 
citizens. The first reviving efforts of commerce overstocked 
the markets with foreign luxuries and superfluities, sold to 
those who trusted to the future to supply the ability of pay- 

6* 



Q2 TOWN HISTORY. 

merit. The temporary act of 1782, making property a ten- 
der in discharge of pecuniary contracts, instead of the de- 
signed remedial effect, enhanced the evils of general insol- 
vency, by postponing collections. The outlandish demands 
of the royalist refugees, who had been driven from large 
estates and extensive business, enforced with no lenient for- 
bearance, came in to increase the embarrassments of the 
deferred pay day. At length, a flood of suits broke out. 
In 1784, more than 2000 actions were entered in the County 
of Worcester, then having a population less than 50,000, 
and in 1785, about 1,700. Lands and goods were seized 
and sacrificed on sale, when the general difficulties drove 
away purchasers. Amid the universal distress, artful and 
designing persons discerned prospect for advancement, and 
fomented the discontent by inflammatory publications and 
seditious appeals to every excitable passion and prejudice. 
The Constitution was misrepresented as defective, the ad- 
ministration as corrupt, the laws as unequal and unjust. 
The celebrated papers of Honestus, directed jealousy to- 
wards the judicial tribunals, and thundered anathemas against 
the lawyers, unfortunately for them, the immediate agents 
and ministers of creditors. Driven to despair by the actual 
evil of enormous debt, and irritated to madness by the in- 
creasing clamor about supposed grievances, it is scarcely 
surprising that a suffering and deluded people should have 
attempted relief, without considering that the misery they 
endured, was the necessary result from the confusion of 
years of warfare* 

* Could we roll back the tide of time, till its retiring wave left bare the 
rocks on which the Commonwealth was so nearly wrecked, it is not improba- 
ble we should discover, that a loftier and more dangerous ambition, and wider, 
deeper and more unhallowed purposes urged on and sustained the men who 
were pushed into the front rank of rebellion, than came from the limited ca- 



TOWN HISTORY. 



63 



Before the close of the revolutionary contest, whose pres- 
sure had united all by the tie of common danger, indica- 
tions of discontent had been manifested. The acts of the 
Legislature had excited temporary and local uneasiness in 
former years, as the operation of laws conflicted with the 
views of expediency or interest entertained by the village 
politicians. But in 1782, complaints arose of grievances, 
springing from the policy and administration of government, 
of more genial character. On the 14th of April, of that 
year, the delegates of twenty-six towns of the county as- 
sembled in convention, and attributing the prevailing dis- 
satisfaction of the people to want of confidence in the dis- 
bursement of the great sums of money annually assessed, 
recommended instructions to the representatives to require 
immediate settlement with all public officers entrusted with 
the funds of the Commonwealth ; and if the adjustment 
was delayed or refused, to withdraw from the General Court, 
and return to their constituents : to reduce the compensa- 
tion of the members of the House, and the fees of lawyers; 
to procure sessions of the Court of Probate in different 
places in the county; the revival of confessions of debt; 
enlargement of the jurisdiction of justices of the peace to 
£20 — contribution to the support of the continental army in 
specific articles instead of money : and the settlement of 
accounts between the Commonwealth and Congress. At an 
adjourned session, May 14th, they further recommended, 

pacity of their own minds. We might find that the accredited leaders of 
1786, were only humble instruments of stronger spirits, waiting in conceal- 
ment, the results of the tempest they had roused. Fortunately, the energy 
of government, gave to rising revolution the harmless character of crushed 
insurrection, saved to after years the inquiry for the catalines of the young 
republic, and left to us the happy privilege of receiving the coin, impressed 
with the mark of patriotism, at its stamped value, without testing its defi- 
ciency of weight, or assaying the metal to determine the mixture of alloy. 



64 



TOWN HISTORY. 



that account of the public expenditures should be annu- 
ally rendered to the towns ; the removal of the General 
Court from Boston ; separation of the business of the Com- 
mon Pleas and Sessions, and inquiry into the grants of lands 
in Maine, in favor of Alexander Shepherd and others. 

The first open act of insurrection, followed close upon 
the adjournment of the convention held at Leicester, in Au- 
gust. Although warning of danger had been given, con- 
fiding m the loyalty of the people, their love of order, and 
respect for the laws, the officers of government had made 
no preparations to support the Court to be held in Worcester, 
in September, 1786. On Monday night of the first week 
in that month, a body of eighty armed men, under Captain 
Adam Wheeler, of Hubbardston, entered the town and took 
possession of the Court House. Early the next morning 
their numbers were augmented to nearly one hundred, and 
as many more collected without fire-arms. The Judges of 
the Common Pleas had assembled at the house of the Hon. 
Joseph Allen. At the usual hour, with the Justices of the 
Sessions, and the members of the bar, attended by the clerk 
and sheriff, they moved towards the Court House. Chief 
Justice Artemas Ward, a General of the Revolution, united 
intrepid firmness with prudent moderation. His resolute 
and manly bearing on that day of difficulty and embarrass- 
ment, sustained the dignity of the office he bore, and com- 
manded the respect even of his opponents. On him de- 
volved the responsibility of an occasion affecting deeply the 
future peace of the community, and it was supported well 
and ably. 

On the verge of the crowd thronging the hill, a sentinel 
was pacing on his round, who challenged the procession as 
it approached his post. Gen. Ward sternly ordered the 



TOWN HISTORY. 



65 



soldier, formerly a subaltern of his own particular regiment, 
to recover his levelled musket. The man, awed by the voice 
he had been accustomed to obey, instantly complied, and 
presented his piece, in military salute, to his old commander. 
The Court, having received the honors of war, from him 
who was planted to oppose their advance, went on. The 
multitude receding to the right and left, made way in sullen 
silence, till the judicial officers reached the Court House. 
On the steps was stationed a file of men with fixed bayonets : 
on the front, stood Capt. Wheeler with his drawn sword. 
The crier was directed to open the doors, and permitted to 
throw them back displaying a party of infantry with their 
guns levelled as if ready to fire. Judge Ward then ad- 
vanced and the bayonets were turned against his breast. He 
demanded repeatedly, who commanded the people there; 
by what authority, and for what purpose they had met in 
hostile array. Wheeler at length replied ; after disclaiming 
the rank of leader, he stated, that he had come to relieve 
the distresses of the country, by preventing the sittings of 
eourts until they could obtain redress of grievances. The 
Chief Justice answered that he would satisfy them their com- 
plaints were without just foundation. He was told by Capt. 
Smith of Barre, that any communication he had to make 
must be reduced to writing. Judge Ward indignantly re- 
fused to do this : he said he " did not value their bayonets, 
they might plunge them to his heart ; but while that heart 
beat he would do his duty : when opposed to it, his life was 
of little consequence : if they would take away their bayo- 
nets and give him some position where he could be heard 
by his fellow citizens, and not by the leaders alone, who had 
deceived and deluded them, he would speak, but not other- 
wise." The insurgent officers, fearful of the effect of his 



66 



TOWN HISTORY. 



determined manner on the minds of their followers, inter- 
rupted. They did not come there, they said, to listen to long 
speeches, but to resist oppression : they had the power to 
compel submission : and they demanded an adjournment 
without day. Judge Ward peremptorily refused to an- 
swer any proposition, unless it was accompanied by the 
name of him by whom it was made. They then desired 
him to fall back : the drum was beat and the guard ordered 
to charge. The soldiers advanced until the points of their 
bayonets pressed hard upon the breast of the Chief Justice, 
who stood as immovable as a statue, without stirring a limb, 
or yielding an inch, although the steel in the hands of des- 
perate men penetrated his dress. Struck with admiration 
by his intrepidity, and shrinking from the sacrifice of life, 
the guns were removed and Judge Ward ascending the steps 
addressed the assembly. In a style of clear and forcible 
argument he examined their supposed grievances; exposed 
their fallacy ; explained the dangerous tendency of their 
rash measures ; admonished them that they were placing in 
peril the liberty acquired by the efforts and sufferings of 
years, plunging the country in civil war and involving them- 
selves and their families in misery : that the measures they 
had taken must defeat their own wishes ; for the government 
would never yield that to force, which would be readily ac- 
corded to respectful representations : and warned them that 
the majesty of the laws would be vindicated, and their re- 
sistance of its power avenged. He spoke nearly two hours, 
not without frequent interruption. But admonition and 
argument were unavailing : the insurgents declared they 
would maintain their ground until satisfaction was obtained. 
Judge Ward, addressing himself to Wheeler, advised him 
to suffer the troops to disperse: "they were waging war, 



TOWN HISTORY. 



67 



which was treason, and its end would be," he added, after 
a momentary pause, "the gallows." The judge then re- 
tired, unmolested, through armed files. Soon after, the 
Court was opened at the United States Arms Tavern, and 
immediately adjourned to the next day. Orders were then 
dispatched to the colonels in the brigade to call out their 
regiments, and march without a moment's delay, to sustain 
the judicial tribunals : but that right arm on which the gov- 
ernment rests for defence was paralyzed : in this hour of 
its utmost need, the militia shared in the disaffection, and 
the officers reported, that it was out of their power to mus- 
ter their companies, because they generally favored those 
movements of the people directed against the highest civil 
institutions of the State, and tending to the subversion of 
social order. 

In the afternoon of Tuesday, a petition was presented 
from Athol, requesting that no judgments should be rendered 
in civil actions, except where debts would be lost by delay, 
and no trials had unless with the consent of the parties ; a 
course corresponding with the views entertained by the Court. 
Soon after, Capt. Smith, of Barre, unceremoniously intro- 
duced himself to the judges, with his sword drawn, and of- 
fered a paper purporting to be the petition of " the body of 
people now collected for their own good and that of the 
Commonwealth," requiring an adjournment of the Courts 
without day. He demanded, in a threatening manner, an 
answer in half an hour. Judge Ward, with great dignity 
replied, that no answer would be given, and the intruder 
retired. An interview was solicited, during the evening, by 
a committee, who were informed that the officers of govern- 
ment would make no promises to men in hostile array : an 
intimation was given that the request of the people of Athol 



68 



TOWN HISTORY, 



was considered reasonable : and the conference terminated. 
A report of the result was made to the insurgents, who 
voted it was unsatisfactory, and resolved to remain until the 
following day. 

During the night, the Court House was guarded in mar- 
tial form : sentinels were posted along in front of the build- 
ing, and along Main street : the men not on duty, bivouaced 
in the hall of justice, or sought shelter with their friends. 
In the first light of morning, the whole force paraded on 
the hill, and was harrangued by the leaders. In the fore- 
noon a new deputation waited on the Court, with a repeti- 
tion of the former demand, and received a similar reply. 
The justices assured the committee, if the body dispersed, 
the people of the county would have no just cause of com- 
plaint with the course the Court would adopt. The insur- 
gents, reinforced with about two hundred from Holden and 
Ward, now mustered four hundred strong, half with fire 
arms, and the remainder furnished with sticks. They formed 
in column and marched through Main street with their music, 
inviting all who sought relief from oppression to join their 
ranks, but receiving no accessions of recruits from the citi- 
zens, they returned to the Court House. Sprigs of ever- 
green had been distributed, and mounted as the distinctive 
badge of rebellion, and a young pine tree was elevated at 
their post as the standard of revolt. 

The Court, at length, finding that no reliance could be 
placed on military support, and no hope entertained of being 
permitted to proceed with business, adjourned, continuing 
all cases to the next term. Proclamation was made by the 
sheriff to the people, and a copy of the record communicated. 
After this, about two hundred men, with sticks only, paraded 
before the house of Mr. Allen, where the justices had re- 



TOWN HISTORY. 



69 



tired, and halted nearly an hour, as if meditating some act 
of violence. The main body then marched down, and pass- 
ing through the other party, whose open ranks closed after 
them, the whole moved to the common, where they displayed 
into a line, and sent another committee to the Court. 

The sessions, considering their deliberations controlled 
by the mob, deemed it expedient to follow the example of 
the superior tribunal, by an adjournment to the 21st of No- 
vember. When the insurgent adjutant presented a paper, 
requiring it should be without fixed day ; Judge Ward re- 
plied, the business was finished and could not be changed. 

Before night closed down, the Regulators, as they styled 
themselves, dispersed ; and thus terminated the first inter- 
ference of the citizens in arms with the court of justice. 
Whatever fears might have been entertained of future dis- 
astrous consequences, their visit brought with it no terror, 
and no apprehension for personal safety to their opposers. 
Both parties, indeed, seemed more inclined to hear than 
strike. The conduct of Judge Ward was dignified and 
spirited, in a situation of great embarrassment. His own 
deprecation, that the sun might not shine on the day when 
the Constitution was trampled on with impunity, seemed to 
be realized. Clouds, darkness and storm brooded over the 
meeting of the insurgents, and rested on their tumultuary 
assemblies in the county at subsequent periods. 

The state of feeling was unfavorably influenced by the 
success of the insurgents. At a meeting of the inhabitants 
on the 25th of September, delegates were elected to the 
county convention at Paxton, with instructions to report 
their doings to the town. The list of grievances received 
some slight additions from this assembly. The delay and 
expense of Courts of Probate, the manner of recording 

7 



70 



TOWN HISTORY. 



deeds in one general office of registry, instead of entering 
them on the books of the town where the land was situated, 
and the right of absentees to sue for the collection of debts, 
were the subjects of complaint in a petition, concluding with 
the request that precepts might be issued for meetings, to 
express public sentiment in relation to a revision of the 
Constitution, and if two-thirds of the qualified voters were 
in favor of amendment, that a State convention might be 
called. The existence of this body was continued by an 
adjournment to Worcester. The petition was immediately 
forwarded to the General Court. A copy was subsequently 
submitted to the town, at a meeting held October 2nd, for 
the purpose of receiving a report from the delegates. It 
was then voted, "That Mr. Daniel Baird be requested to 
inform the town whether this petition was according to his 
mind, and he informed the town it was ; but that he did not 
approve of its being sent to the G-eneral Court until it had 
been laid before the town." The petition was read para- 
graph by paragraph, rejected, and the delegates dismissed. 

On the 16th of October, in compliance with the request 
of 34 freeholders, another town meeting was called : after 
a long and warm debate, the former delegates were re-elected 
to attend the convention, at its adjourned session. A peti- 
tion had been offered, praying consideration of the measures 
proper in the alarming situation of the country, and for in- 
structions to the representative to inquire into the expendi- 
ture of public money, the salaries of officers, the means of 
increasing manufactures, encouraging agriculture, introduc- 
ing economy, and removing every grievance. Directions 
were given to endeavor to procure the removal of the Leg- 
islature from the metropolis to the interior ; the annihilation 
of the Inferior Courts ; the substitution of a cheaper and 



TOWN HISTORY. 



71 



more expeditious administration of justice ; the immediate 
repeal of the supplementary fund granted to Congress ; the 
appropriation of the revenue, arising from impost and ex- 
cise, to the payment of the foreign debt ; and the withhold- 
ing all supplies from Congress until settlement of account 
between the Commonwealth and Continent. Resolutions, 
introduced by the supporters of government, expressing 
disapprobation of unconstitutional assemblies, armed com- 
binations, and riotous movements, and pointing to the Leg- 
islature as the only legitimate source of redress, were re- 
jected. The convention party was triumphant by a small 
majority. While the discussion was uged, a considerate 
citizen inquired of one of the most zealous of the discon- 
tented, what grievances he suffered, and what were the prin- 
cipal evils among them? "There are grievances enough, 
thank Grod !" was the hasty reply, " and they are all princi- 
pal ones." 

The jurisdiction of the sessions was principally over crimi- 
nal offences, and its powers were exercised for the preser- 
vation of social order. No opposition had been anticipated 
to its session on the 21st of November, and no defensive 
preparations were'made. On that day, about sixty armed 
men, under Abraham Gale, of Princeton, entered the north 
part of the town. During the evening, and on Wednesday 
morning, about one hundred more arrived from Hubbards- 
ton, Shrewsbury, and some adjacent towns. A committee 
presented a petition to the Court, at the United States Arms 
Tavern, for their adjournment, until a new choice of repre- 
sentatives, which was not received. The insurgents then 
took possession of the ground around the Court House. 
When the justices approached, the armed men made way, 
and they passed the open ranks to the steps. There, triple 



72 



TOWN HISTORY. 



rows of bayonets presented to their breasts, opposed farther 
advance. The Sheriff, Col. William Greenleaf, of Lancas- 
ter, addressed the assembled crowd, stating the danger to 
themselves and the public from their lawless measures. 
Reasoning and warning were ineffectual, and the proclama- 
tion in the riot act was read for their dispersion. Amid the 
grave solemnity of the scene, some incidents were interposed 
of lighter character. Col. Greenleaf remarked with great 
severity on the conduct of the armed party around him. 
One of the leaders replied, they sought relief from griev- 
ances : that among the most intolerable of them was the 
sheriff himself: and next to his person, were his fees, which 
were exorbitant and excessive, particularly on criminal exe- 
cutions. " If you consider fees for executions oppressive," 
replied the sheriff, irritated by the attack, "you need not 
wait long for redress ; for I will hang you all, gentlemen, 
for nothing, with the greatest pleasure." Some hand among 
the crowd, which pressed close, placed a pine branch on his 
hat, and the county officer retired with the justices, decorated 
with the evergreen badge of rebellion. The clerk entered 
on his records, that the court was prevented from being held 
by an armed force, the only notice contained on their pages 
that our soil has ever been dishonored by resistance of the 
laws. 

To this period the indulgence of government had dealt 
with its revolted subjects as misguided citizens, seduced to 
acts of violence from misconception of the sources of their 
distress. Conciliatory policy had applied remedial statutes 
wherever practicable, and proffered full pardon and indem- 
nity for past misconduct. Reasonable hopes were enter- 
tained that disaffection, quieted by lenient measures, would 
lay down the arms assumed under strong excitement, and 



TOWN HISTORY. ~n 

that reviving order would rise from the confusion. But the 
insurgents, animated by temporary success, and mistaking 
the mildness of forbearance for weakness or fear, had ex- 
tended their designs from present relief to permanent change. 
Their early movements were without further object than to 
stay that flood of executions which wasted their property 
and made their homes desolate. That portion of the com- 
munity, who condemned the violence of the actors in the 
scenes we have described, sympathized in their sufferings, 
and were disposed to consider the offences venial, while the 
professed purpose of their commission was merely to obtain 
the delay necessary for seeking constitutional redress. All 
implicated, stood on safe and honorable ground, until the 
renewal on the 21st of November, of the opposition to 
the administration of justice. Defiance of the authority of 
the State could no longer be tolerated without the prostra- 
tion of its institutions. The crisis had arrived, when gov- 
ernment, driven to the utmost limit of concession, must ap- 
peal to the sword for preservation, even though its destroy- 
ing edge, turned on the citizen, might be crimsoned with 
civil slaughter. Information was communicated to the execu- 
tive of extensive levies of troops for the suppression of the 
judiciary, and the coercion of the Legislature. Great exer- 
tions were making to prevent the approaching session of the 
Court of Common Pleas in Worcester, on the first week of 
December. Gov. Bowdoin and the council, resolved to 
adopt vigorous measures to overawe the insurgents. Or- 
ders were issued to Major General Warner, to call out the 
militia of his division, and five regiments were directed to 
hold themselves in instant readiness to march. Doubts, 
however, arose, how far reliance could be placed on the 
troops of an infected district. The sheriff reported, that a 

7* 



74 TOWN HISTORY. 

sufficient force could not be collected. The first instructions 
were therefore countermanded, a plan having been settled 
to raise an army whose power might effectually crush resis- 
tance ; and the Judges were advised to adjourn to the 23d 
of January following, when the contemplated arrangements 
could be matured, to terminate the unhappy troubles. 

The insurgents unapprised of the change of operations, 
began to concentrate their whole strength to interrupt the 
Courts at "Worcester and Concord. They had fixed on 
Shrewsbury as the place of rendezvous. On the 29th of 
November, a party of forty from Barre, Spencer and Leices- 
ter, joined Capt. Wheeler, who had established his head 
quarters in that town during the preceding week, and suc- 
ceeded in enlisting about thirty men. Daniel Shays, the 
reputed commander-in-chief, and nominal head of the re- 
bellion, made his first public appearance in the county soon 
after, with troops from Hampshire. Reinforcements came in, 
till the number at the post exceeded four hundred. Senti- 
nels stopped and examined travelers, and patrols were sent 
out towards Concord, Cambridge and Worcester. On Thurs- 
day, November 30th, information was received that the Light 
Horse, under Col. Hitchborn, had captured Shattuck, Par- 
ker and Paige, and that a detachment of cavalry was march- 
ing against themselves. This intelligence disconcerted their 
arrangements for an expedition into Middlesex, and they 
retreated in great alarm to Holden. On Friday, Wheeler 
was in a house passed by the horsemen, and only escaped 
being captured, by accident. Another person, supposed to 
be the commander, was pursued, and received a sabre cut in 
the hand. The blow was slight, but afforded sufficient 
foundation for raising the cry that blood had been shed, and 
rousing passion to vengeance. The wounded insurgent was 



TOWN IIISTORY. 



75 



exhibited and bewailed as the martyr of their cause. As 
the Light Horse retired, it was discovered they did not ex- 
ceed twenty. About a hundred of Shays' men rallied, and 
returned to Shrewsbury, following a foe whose celerity of 
movement left no cause to fear they could be brought to an 
encounter. Search was made for the town stock of powder, 
removed by the vigilance of one of the Selectmen, Col. 
Cushing, whose house they surrounded, and whose person 
they endeavored to seize, but he escaped. Consultation was 
held on the expediency of marching directly to Worcester, 
and encamping before the Court House. Without clothing 
to protect them from colfl, without money, or food to supply 
the wants of hunger, it was considered impracticable to 
maintain themselves there, and on Saturday they marched 
to Grafton and went into quarters with their friends. 

The party left at Holden, found one object of their meet- 
ing, the junction with the insurgents at Concord, frustrated. 
Those who belonged to the neighboring towns were there- 
fore dismissed, with orders to assemble in Worcester on 
Monday following. Shays retired to the barracks in Rutland, 
and sent messengers to hasten on the parties from Berkshire 
and Hampshire, in anticipation of meeting the militia of 
government at Worcester. 

On Sunday evening, the detachment from Grafton entered 
the town, under the command of Abraham Gale, of Prince- 
ton, Adam Wheeler, of Hubbardston, Simeon Hazeltine, of 
Hardwick, and John Williams, reputed to be a deserter from 
the British army, and once a sergeant of the continental 
line. They halted before the Court House, and having ob- 
tained the keyes, placed a strong guard around the building, 
and posted sentinels on all the streets and avenues of the 
town to prevent surprise. Those who were oif duty, rolling 



76 



TOWN HISTORY. 



themselves in their blankets, rested on their arms, on the 
floor of the Court room. 

As the evening closed in, one of the most furious snow 
storms of a severe winter commenced. One division of the 
insurgents occupied the Court House : another sought shel- 
ter at the Hancock Arms. The sentinels, chilled by the 
tempest, and imagining themselves secured by its violence 
from attack, joined their comrades around the fire of the 
guard room. The young men of the town, in the spirit of 
sportive mischief, contrived to carry away their muskets, 
incautiously stacked in the entry-way, and having secreted 
them at a distance, raised the alarm that the Light Horse 
was upon them. The party sallied out in confusion, and 
panic struck at the silent disappearance of their arms, fled 
through the fast falling snow to the Court House, where 
their associates had paraded. The guns were discovered at 
length, and the whole force remained ready for action several 
hours, frequently disturbed by the fresh outcries of their 
vexatious persecutors. 

The increasing fury of the storm, and the almost impas- 
sable condition of the roads, did not prevent the arrival of 
many from Holden and the vicinity, on Tuesday, swelling 
the numerical force of malcontents to five hundred. The 
Court was opened at the Sun Tavern ,* and in conformity 
with the instructions of the Governor, adjourned to the 23d 
of January, without attempting to transact business. Peti- 
tions from committees from Sutton and Douglas, that the 
next session might be postponed to March, were disregarded. 

Worcester assumed the appearance of a garrisoned town. 
The citizens answered to the frequent challenges of military 
guards : the traveler was admonished to stay his steps by 

* United States Hotel, 1836. 



TOWN HISTORY. 



77 



the voice and bayonet of the soldier. Sentries paced before 
the house of Mr. Allen, the clerk, where Judge Ward re- 
sided, and the former gentleman was threatened with vio- 
lence on his own threshhold. Justice Washburn, of Leices- 
ter, was opposed on his way, and two of his friends, who 
seized the gun presented to his breast, were arrested and 
detained in custody. Justice Baker, on his return home- 
ward was apprehended in the road, and some of his captors 
suggested the propriety of sending him to prison, to expe- 
rience the corrective discipline, to which, as a magistrate, 
he had subjected others. 

On Tuesday evening, a council of war was convened, and 
it was seriously determined to march to Boston, and effect 
the liberation of the State prisoners as soon as sufficient 
strength could be collected. In anticipation of attack, the 
Governor gathered the means of defence around the me- 
tropolis. Guards were mounted at the prison, and at the 
entrances of the city : alarm posts were assigned ; and Major 
General Brooks held the militia of Middlesex contiguous to 
the road, in readiness for action, and watched the force at 
Worcester. 

During the evening of Tuesday, an alarm broke out, more 
terrific to the party quartered at the Hancock Arms, than 
that which had disturbed the repose of the preceding night. 
Soon after partaking the refreshment which was sometimes 
used by the military, before the institution of temperance 
societies, several of the men were seized with violent sick- 
ness, and a rumor spread, that poison had been mingled with 
the fountain which supplied their water. Dr. Samuel Stearns, 
of Paxton, astrologer, almanac manufacturer, and quack by 
profession, detected in the sediment of the cups they had 
drained, a substance, which he unhesitatingly pronounced to 



78 



TOWN HISTORY. 



be a compound of arsenic and antimony, so deleterious that 
a single grain would extinguish the lives of a thousand. The 
numbers of the afflicted increased with frightful rapidity, 
and the symptoms grew more fearful. It was suddenly 
recollected that the sugar used in their beverage had been 
purchased from a respectable merchant of the town,*" whose 
attachment to government was well known, and the sickness 
around was deemed proof conclusive that it had been adul- 
terated for their destruction. A file of soldiers seized the 
seller, and brought him to answer for the supposed attempt 
to murder the levies of rebellion. As he entered the house, 
the cry of indignation rose strong. Fortunately for his safe- 
ty, Dr. Green, of Ward, an intelligent practitioner of medi- 
cine, arrived, and the execution of vengeance was deferred 
until his opinion of its propriety could be obtained. After 
careful inspection of the suspected substance, and subject- 
ing it to the test of different senses, he declared, that to the 
best of his knowledge, it was genuine, yellow, Scotch snuff. 
The reputed dying raised their heads from the floor : the 
slightly affected recovered : the gloom which had settled 
heavily on the supposed victims of mortal disease was dis- 
pelled, and the illness soon vanished. Strict inquiry fur- 
nished a reasonable explanation : a clerk in the stare of the 
merchant had opened a package of the fragrant commodity 
in the vicinity of the sugar barrel, and a portion of the 
odoriferous leaf, had, inadvertently been scattered from the 
counter into its uncovered head. A keg of spirit was ac- 
cepted in full satisfaction for the panic occasioned by the 
decoction of tobacco so innocently administered. 

Bodies of militia, anxious to testify their reviving zeal, 
were toiling through the deep snow drifts. Gren. Warner, 

*The late Daniel Waldo, (Sen.) Esq. 



TOWN HISTORY 



79 



finding that no benefit could be derived from their presence, 
sent orders for their return to their homes, and the insur- 
gents enjoyed the triumph of holding undisputed posses- 
sion of the town. 

On Wednesday, December 6th, they went out to meet 
Shays, who arrived from Rutland with 350 men. As they 
re-entered the street the appearance of the column of 800 
was highly imposing. The companies included many who 
had learned their tactics from Steuben, and served an ap- 
prenticeship of discipline in the ranks of the Revolution : war- 
worn veterans, who in a good cause would have been invinci- 
ble. The pine tuft supplied the place of plume in their hats. 
Shays, with his aid, mounted on white horses, led on the van. 
They displayed into line before the Court House, where they 
were reviewed and inspected. The men were then billeted 
on the inhabitants. No compulsion was used : where ad- 
mittance was peremptorily refused, they quietly retired, and 
sought food and shelter elsewhere. Provision having been 
made for the soldiers, Shays joined the other leaders in coun- 
cil. At night, he was attended to his quarters, at the house 
of the late Col. Samuel Flagg, by a strong guard, preceded 
by the music of the army, with something of the state as- 
sumed by a general officer. Precautions against surprise 
were redoubled. Chains of sentinels were stretched along 
the streets, planted in every avenue of approach, and on 
the neighboring hills, examining all who passed. The cry 
of " all \s well," rose on the watches of the night, from those 
whose presence brought danger to the Commonwealth. 

Committees from some of the neighboring towns, and 
many of the prominent members of the conventions, assem- 
bled with the military leaders, on Thursday, the 6th of De- 
cember. Their deliberations were perplexed and discordant. 



80 



TOWN HISTORY. 



The inclemency of the weather had prevented the arrival of 
the large force expected. The impossibility of retaining 
the men who had assembled without munitions, subsistence, 
or stores, compelled them to abandon the meditated attack 
on Boston, then put in a posture of defence, and more pacific 
measures were finally adopted. A petition was prepared 
for circulation, remonstrating against the suspension of the 
habeas corpus writ ; asking for the pardon and release of 
the prisoners ; anew act of amnesty; the adjournment of 
Courts until the session of the new Legislature in May ; and 
expressing their readiness to lay down their arms on conpli- 
ance with these demands. In the afternoon, Shays' men 
and part of Wheeler's, to the number of five hundred, began 
their march for Paxton, on their way to the barracks in 
Rutland. About a hundred more retired to the north part 
of the town. 

Friday was spent in consultation. Aware that public 
sentiment was setting against them with strong re-action, 
the mercy which had been rejected was now supplicated. 
Letters were addressed to each town of the county, inviting 
the inhabitants to unite in their petitions. Shays himself, 
in a private conference with an acquaintance, made use of 
these expressions. " For God's sake, have matters settled 
peaceably ; it was against my inclinations I undertook this 
business ; importunity was used which I could not withstand ; 
but I heartily wish it was well over." 

In the evening, the Court House was abandoned, but the 
sentries were posted at almost every door of the outside 
and interior of the public house, where the leaders remained 
in consultation. 

Another snow storm commenced on Saturday morning. 
Luke Day, with 150 men from Hampshire, reached Leices- 



TOWN HISTORY. 



81 



ter, but was unable to proceed in the tempest. About noon, 
all the insurgents in Worcester paraded before their head 
quarters, and were dismissed. The companies of Ward, 
Holden, Spencer, Rutland, Barre, and Petersham, after 
moving slowly through Main street in distinct bodies, took 
up the line of march for their respective homes, through 
roads choked with drifts. 

The condition of these deluded men during their stay 
here, was such as to excite compassion rather than fear. 
Destitute of almost every necessary of life, in an inclement 
season, without money to purchase food which their friends 
could not supply, unwelcome guests in the quarters they 
occupied, pride restrained the exposure of their wants. 
Many must have endured the gnawings of hunger in our 
streets : yet standing with arms in their hands, enduring 
privations in the midst of plenty, they took nothing by force, 
and trespassed on no man's rights by violence : some de- 
clared they had not tasted food for twenty-four hours ; all 
who made known their situation, were relieved by our citi- 
zens with liberal charity. 

The forlorn condition of the insurgents was deepened by 
the distress of their retreat. Their course was amid the 
wildest revelry of storm and wind in a night of intense cold. 
Some were frozen to death by the way ; others, exhausted 
with struggling through the deep and drifted snow, sunk 
down, and would have perished but for the aid of their 
stouter comrades : when relief was sought among the farm 
houses, every door was opened at the call of misery, and 
the wrongs done by the rebel were forgotten in the sufferings 
of him who claimed hospitality as a stranger. 

The whole number assembled at Worcester never exceeded 
a thousand. The spirit animating the first movements had 

8 



g2 TOWN HISTORY.' 

grown cold, and Shays expressed to an acquaintance here, 
the impression that the cause had become gloomy and hope- 
less. In conversation with an officer of government, he 
disclaimed being at the head of the rebellion ; declared he 
had come to the resolution to have nothing more to do with 
stopping courts : that if he could not obtain pardon, he 
would gather the whole force he could command, and fight 
to the last extremity, rather than be hanged. When asked 
if he would accept pardon were it offered, and abandon the 
insurgents, he replied, "yes, in a moment.''* 

The delay of government, while it afforded time to circu- 
late correct information among the people, left the insur- 
gents at liberty to pursue their measures. The Court at 
Springfield, on the 26th of December, was resisted, and in- 
telligence was received of active exertions to prevent the 
session of the Common Pleas, at Worcester, on the 23d of 
January. Longer forbearance would have been weakness, 
and vigorous measures were adopted for sustaining the Ju- 
diciary. An army of 4400 men was raised from the Coun- 
ties of Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex, Hampshire and Worces- 
ter, for thirty days service. General Benjamin Lincoln, 
whose prudence, and military skill peculiarly qualified him 
for the important trust, received the command. Voluntary 
loans were made by individuals for the armament, pay, and 
subsistance of the troops. 

* The retreat of Shays not only afforded the friends of order occasion for 
triumph, but sport for wit. An Epigram, from one of the prints, affords a 
specimen of the poetry and jest of the time. The name of the common car- 
riage, the chaise, and that of the insurgent leader, had then the same spelling 
as well as sound. 

" Says sober Will, well Shays has fled, 
And peace returns to bless our days. 
Indeed ! cries Ned, I always said, 

He'd prove at last a, fall back Shays ; 
And those turned over and undone, 
Call him a worthless Shays to run." 



TOWN HISTORY. 



83 



On the 21st of # January, the army took up the line of 
march from Roxbury. The inclemency of the weather, and 
the condition of the roads rendered a halt necessary at 
Marlborough. The next day the troops reached Worcester, 
notwithstanding the effects of sudden thaw on the deep snow, 
and were quartered on the inhabitants, the houses being 
thrown open for their shelter and comfort. Here they were 
joined by the regiments of the county. The town contributed 
its quota liberally. In the company under Capt. Joel Howe, 
were twenty-seven non-commissioned officers and privates. 
In the artillery, under Capt. William Treadwell, were en- 
rolled forty-three of our citizens. Nineteen served under 
Capt. Phinehas Jones. Seven dragoons were embodied in a 
legionary corps. Lieut. Daniel Goulding was at the head 
of a troop of cavalry. The late Judge Edward Bangs, 
Timothy Bigelow, afterwards Speaker of the House of Rep- 
resentatives of Massachusetts, and Theophilus Wheeler, 
Esq., served as volunteers. 

Detachments of insurgents collected at Rutland, New 
Braintree, Princeton, Sterling and Sutton, but, intimidated 
by the military, hovered at a distance, while the Courts pro- 
ceeded. On the 25th of January, Gen. Lincoln hastened 
westward for the relief of Shepherd, and of the arsenal at 
Springfield, invested by Shays and Day. 

Major General Warner was left in command at Worces- 
ter, with a regiment of infantry, a corps of artillery, includ- 
ing Capt. TreadwelFs company, two field-pieces, and a party 
from the legionary battalion of volunteer cavalry. Infor- 
mation having been given that a body of about two hundred 
insurgents had assembled at New Braintree, intercepting 
travelers and insulting the friends of government, twenty 
horsemen, supported by about 150 infantry in sleighs, were 



84 



TOWN HISTORY. 



sent out on the night of the 2d of February, to capture or 
disperse the disaffected. Upon approaching the place of 
their destination, the cavalry were ordered to advance at 
full speed to surprise the enemy. The insurgents, apprised 
of the expedition, had abandoned their quarters at the house 
of Micah Hamilton, and taken post behind the walls of the 
road-side, and having fired a volley of musketry upon the 
detachment, fled to the woods : Mr. Jonathan Rice, of Wor- 
cester, a deputy sheriff, was shot through the arm and hand : 
Dr. David Young was severely wounded in the knee ;* the 
bridle rein of Theophilus Wheeler, Esq., was cut by a ball. 
Without halting, the soldiers rapidly pursued their way to 
the deserted head quarters, where they liberated Messrs. 
Samuel Flagg, and John Stanton, of Worcester, who had 
been seized the day previous, while transacting private busi- 
ness at Leicester. Having dispersed those who occupied 
the barracks at Rutland, the next day the companies returned 
with four prisoners. , 

The career of Shays was fast drawing to its close. Driven 
from post to post, he suddenly retired from Pelham to Pe- 
tersham, where he expected to concentrate the forces of 
expiring rebellion, and, make his final stand. Intelligence 
of this change of position reached Gen. Lincoln at Hadley, 
February 3d, and he determined by prompt and decisive 
action, to terminate the warfare. When the troops took up 
the line of march at 8 o'clock, the evening was bright and 
mild. Before morning the cold became intense : the dry 
and light snow, whirled before a violent north wind, filled 
the paths and rendered them almost impassable. The sever- 
ity of the cold prevented any halt for rest or refreshment. 

* Dr. Young afterwards recovered £1000, in a civil action, against those by 
whom he was wounded. 



TOWN HISTORY. 



85 



At a distance from shelter, without defence against the in- 
clemency of the weather, it became necessary to press on 
without pausing, to the camp occupied by men possessing 
all martial advantages, except courage and a good cause. 
The heavy sufferings of the night were terminated by the 
arrival of the troops in the very center of Petersham. The 
followers of Shays, trusting to the violence of the storm 
and the obstruction of the highways, rested in careless secu- 
rity. The first warning of danger was from the appearance 
of the advanced guard of the forces of government, after a 
journey of thirty miles, in the midst of their cantonment. 
Had an army dropped from the clouds upon the hill, the 
consternation could not have been greater. Panic struck, 
the insurgents fled without firing a gun or offering resistance 
to soldiers exhausted by fatigue, and almost sinking under 
the privations and hardships of the severe service. 

The rebellion being terminated, the infliction of some 
punishment for the highest political crime was deemed expe- 
dient. Some of those who had been in arms against the 
laws, were brought to trial, convicted of treason and sen- 
tenced to death. Henry Glale, of Princeton, was the only 
insurgent found guilty of capital offence, in this county .* 

On the 23d of June, at the hour fixed for his execution 
by the warrant, he was led out to the gallows erected on the 
common, with all the solemn ceremony of such exhibitions. 
A reprieve was there read to him, and afterwards full pardon 
was given. f Proceedings for seditious practices, pending 



*The Court assigned as his counsel, Levi Lincoln, sen. and James Sullivan. 
The warm support of government by the former had rendered him obnoxious 
to the insurgents. During their occupation of the town, they sent parties to 
Beize his person, who surrounded and searched his house. Seasonably in- 
formed of their intentions, he was able to disappoint them. 

t Six were convicted of treason in the county of Berkshire, six in Hamp- 

8* 



86 



TOWN HISTORY. 



against several prisoners, were suspended. The mercy of 
government was finally extended to all who had been involved 
in the difficulties and disorders of the time, upon taking the 
oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth, after some tempo- 
rary civil disqualifications.* 



NOTICE OF DANIEL SHAYS. 

[From the Same.] 

" This individual acquired an unenviable notoriety, which 
imparts some degree of interest to the incidents of his life. 
He was born in Hopkinton, in 1747; the son of parents 
not in affluent circumstances, he worked with Mr. Brinley, 
a respectable farmer of Framingham. The activity and 
energy of his youth promised at maturity more desirable 
elevation than he attained. That his education was neglected, 
is apparent from his official letters, bidding defiance alike 
to government, grammar and good spelling. Just before 
the revolution, he removed to one of the towns beyond Con- 
necticut river, and afterwards resided in Pelham. When 
the war commenced, he entered the army, at the age of 

shire, one in Worcester, and one in Middlesex, all of whom received sentence 
of death, but were subsequently pardoned. The only public punishment ac- 
tually inflicted, except limited disqualification from civil or military office, 
was on a member of the house of representatives, guilty of seditious words 
and practices, who was sentenced to sit on the gallows with a rope about his 
neck, pay a fine of £50, and to be bound to keep the peace and be of good be- 
havior for five years. 

* The facts stated in the foregoing chapter have been derived from the 
Worcester Magazine, published by Isaiah Thomas, 178G, 1787, Independent 
Chronicle, Columbian Centinel, Minot's History of the Insurrection, Files 
in the office of the Secretary of State, Correspondence of Levi Lincoln, sen., 
American Antiquarian Society's MSS. 



TOWN HISTORY. 



87 



twenty-eight, with the rank of ensign, in Capt. Dickinson's 
company, in Col. Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge\s regiment. 
His ambition, activity, and plausible manners covering 
the want of acquirements, joined with personal intrepidity, 
obtained promotion, and in 1 776, he was appointed Lieu- 
tenant in Col. Varnum's regiment. At the time when the 
line peculiarly needed reinforcement, he was detached on 
the recruiting service, with the promise of some suitable 
reward for the enlistment of twenty men. For this purpose 
he visited his native state, and his unwearied exertions were 
crowned with ample success. When the complement assignd 
to him was filled, a plan suggested itself for grasping honor 
and pay at once. Finding the pulse of patriotism beat high, 
and the men of New England were ready to devote them- 
selves for their country, he continued his enlistments. In- 
sinuating address and bold representations, produced im- 
pressions of his ability and influence, easily turned to his 
own advantage, and by holding out expectations of indul- 
gence to those who should serve under his command, a com- 
pany was raised, on the condition that he should be their 
captain. With these men he returned to the camp, where 
they were mustered. When the inspector was about to dis- 
tribute them to difFerent corps, Shays produced the enlist- 
ment papers ; pointed to the condition which held them to 
serve under himself alone ; and requested the appointment 
of Captain. The necessity of the times prevented the sac- 
rifice of so many recruits, and after indignant remonstran- 
ces, it was deemed expedient to yield to his demands. The 
commission was promised, and issued after long delay, in 
September, 1779, to relate back to Jan. 1st, 1777. Such 
is the account tradition gives of his military rank. The 
honors, ill won, were not long worn. He was discharged 



88 



TOWN HISTORY. 



October, 14, 1780, at Newark, in New Jersey, from Col. 
Rufus Putnam's regiment. 

The deficiency of honorable sentiment in his mental con- 
stitution, may be inferred from a characteristic incident. 
Lafayette had presented in 1780, to each of the American 
officers under his immediate command, an elegant sword. 
Such pledge of regard from the patriot chief, a soldier with 
a spark of generous feeling, would have cherished as his 
dearest possession, and transmitted to his posterity as an 
heirloom of inestimable value. Shays sold the gift of his 
commander for a few dollars. 

After being disbanded, he retired to Pelham, and lived 
in obscurity. Bankrupt in fortune and in fame, Shays was 
ready to embark on the flood of any desperate adventure. 
Without the energetic decision or enlarged conceptions, the 
strong spirit or the bold daring, which befit a leader, by 
some accident, he was elevated to the command of the in- 
surgents. Of capacity too humble to direct the movements 
of an army in those moments when the force of talent makes 
itself felt by triumphant results, and turns even obstructions 
into encouragements, he was weak, vacillating and irresolute. 
It was providential that the physical power of the arm of 
rebellion had so feeble a head to direct its blow. 

With the first shade of adversity, he made indirect over- 
tures to the agents of government, to abandon his comrades 
to their fate, on assurance of personal safety : and when his 
base propositions were rejected, and promises of indemnity 
and pardon were offered to his followers, his persuasions in- 
duced them to reject the proffered mercy and retain the arms 
of hopeless controversy, to purchase by their sacrifice, secu- 
rity for himself. 

When the insurrection was crushed, he retired to Ver- 



TOWN HISTORY. 



89 



mont. After the lapse of a few years, the General of the 
rebellion passed through the streets of Worcester, which he 
once entered at the head of an army, and received assistance 
from those whose homes he had threatened with desolation. 

At length he removed to Sparta, in New York. As a 
pensioner of the United States, he derived his daily bread 
from the government whose forces he had encountered in 
arms. Declarations filed in the department of war, by him- 
self, show that his family consisted of an aged wife, and that 
he lived in extreme poverty. He died September 29th, 
1825, aged 78 * 

However much the honor and integrity of Daniel Shays 
were questioned, his courage was never disputed. He was 
in the battle of Bunker's Hill, at the capture of Burgoyne, 
and at the storming of Stony Point : was under Lafayette, 
and did good service in many bloody encounters. A severe 
wound, received during the revolution, was honorary testi- 
monial of intrepidity." 

The first annual town meeting was held the 
5th of March; 1787. 

Voted, to divide the town into four school dis- 
tricts. Also, to raise $66 for schooling the pres- 
ent year, and $50 to defray town charges. Now 
follows a long list of roads laid out and accepted 
by the town. See town records, book 1st, page 58. 

* He married Nancy Haven, a widow. The schedule of his property in 
1820, filed in the pension office, exhibits a condition of almost utter destitu- 
tion. It is as follows : 

1 mare, $25: 1 old saddle, $2.50 : 1 bridle, 50 : 1 old cutter, $5 : 1 old axe, 
62)£ cents : 1 hoe, G2>£ cents : 1 table, $3 : 3 chairs, 1.12>£ : 1 old scythe and 
snath, 1.12>£ : 1 old pail, 12K cents : 1 large bible, $1 : amounting to $40.62)£. 



90 



TOWN HISTORY. 



At a legal meeting of the town held June 6th, 
Voted, to choose a Committee of nine to pro- 
vide a number of hands to raise the meeting 
house, also to provide refreshments for the same. 
The raising Committee made application to Capt. 
Samuel Sawin, of Westminster, Esq'r Smith, of 
Ashburnham, Dea. Moses Hale, of Winchendon, 
and Mr. Joshua Wright, of Templeton, to come 
with a number of good hands to assist in raising 
the house. Accordingly, they all appeared on 
the common early in the morning of June 27th, 
each with a company of choice men. The rais- 
ing commenced early and went on rapidly until 
about noon, when an accident occurred ; as a 
number of men standing on the ground in the 
frame were drinking water, a joist fell from the 
upper loft and struck two of them on their heads, 
wounding them severely : one was Mr. Day, of 
Winchendon ; some thought, had it not been for 
the pail he was drinking from, it would have 
killed him. The other was Mr. Gregory, from 
Templeton. The raising went on and the frame 
was completed before sundown : it was thought 
to be put together so strong, that if turned down 
on one side and rolled across the common, it 
would not wreck the body of it. There are but 
two men now living, who had any thing to do 



TOWN HISTORY. 



91 



with this affair ; those are brothers, by the name 
of Glazier, and they have arrived to the advanced 
ages of 86 and 90 years. The church was com- 
pleted at a cost of about $1,600. The pews in 
the meeting-house were sold at auction, June 
24th, 1788; the highest brought $40 ; the whole 
amounted to $1,577.50. 

The town being legally assembled in March, 
1791, 

Voted, to grant $12 to be laid out for singing ; 
the first act we have to record that reveals a 
shade of music. 

In 1796, the town granted $833.33* to build 
school-houses. 

In 1797, the town voted to procure a standard 
of weights and measures. Also, to make up to 
those militia men who turned out to stand at a 
moment's warning: if they march, $10 per month 
including what the Continent and State give them. 

Voted, to give Rev. Mr. Osgood a present of 
£25, (or $83.33.) In January, 1798, the same 
amount was again presented him by the town. 

At the annual meeting in March, 1802, the 
town voted to provide powder and balls sufficient 
to equip the training soldiers in Gardner : that 

* It may seem strange to the reader that they had a fraction in dollars, but 
money was then reckoned in pounds and shillings instead of dollars. 



92 



TOWN HISTORY | 



the Selectmen provide the same and carry them 
to the commanding officer of the company for 
his inspection before the first of May. 

At the annual town meeting, March, 1808, 

Voted, to grant $400 to defray town charges ; 
$300 for the use of schools, and $500 for repair- 
ing roads. 

At a legal town meeting, June 13th, 

Voted, to grant $1,500 to build a county road, 
and pay the damages, laying between Winchen- 
don and Westminster. 

In 1812, the town granted $50 to build a 
powder-house. 

In 1814, a vote was taken by the town, that if 
any damage be done to any of the school-houses 
in town, by a scholar, the parent or guardian shall 
repair the same. 

In 1816, the town granted $200 to repair the 
meeting-house. A meeting was called Novem- 
ber, 1817, for the purpose of selling the new 
pews in the meeting-house. 

In 1818, the town voted to choose a Committee 
of nine, to divide the town into school districts. 

In 1819, the town voted to sell the oak trees 
(eight or ten in number) on the common, and 
in the burying-ground, to the highest bidder: 
they were struck off to Mr. Benjamin Hey wood, 
at © «j . J y . 



TOWN HISTORY. 



93 



At a meeting in April, 1821, the people met 
to express their minds respecting the amendment 
of the Constitution of this Commonwealth. See 
town records, book 3d, page 37th. 

In 1822, a Committee was chosen to establish 
the line between Westminster and Gardner. 

At the annual town meeting in March, 1833, 

Voted, to raise $600 school money, to be equal- 
ly divided between the six school districts : 
$1,200 to repair roads and bridges: $700 to de- 
fray town charges ; and $200 for purchasing 
engines. 

In 1834, the town voted to raise $550, to build 
a bridge over Otter river. 

At a legal town meeting held July, 1839. 

Voted to raise $300 to repair the road from 
Dea. Fairbanks' to Templeton line. 

August 31st, 1840, the town voted to raise 
$1,000 by tax, and authorized the Treasurer to 
borrow $3,500 to make and keep roads in repair. 

In 1845, Voted, to authorize the Treasurer to 
borrow $150 for town charges. 

In 1847, a vote was taken that a tomb be built 
for the use of the town. 

In 1849, Voted, to appropriate $20 annually, 
for the ringing of each bell in town. 

Voted, to accept of the report of the Commit- 



94 



TOWN HISTORY. 



tee chosen to purchase a town farm. Voted to 
accept of the following rules and regulations 
for the government of the Work-house in the 
town of Gardner. The duty of the Overseers 
of the Poor, the Master, the Physician, and the 
inmates of said house. 

Power and Duty of the Overseers of the Poor. 

" It shall be their duty to provide for all poor, 
indigent persons, who are unable to take care of 
themselves. At all times when circumstances 
will admit, they shall be supported on the farm, 
which the town have purchased for that purpose 
and shall hereafter be known by the name of 
Gardner work-house. They are to provide suita- 
ble stock, farming utensils and household furni- 
ture : also, make such additions and repairs as 
are necessary for the establishment. They are 
to manage the concern in the best possible man- 
ner, and to provide suitable places for all poor 
children, as soon as they can earn their living, 
and see that they are brought up to some trade 
or calling, and suitably schooled. They shall 
constantly keep suitable persons for a Master 
and Mistress, and such other help as they shall 
deem necessary. 

A Physician shall be employed to attend the 



TOWN HISTORY. 



95 

sick, (when requested by the Overseers, or Mas- 
ter,) who shall keep a record of his visits, the 
price, and for whom they were made ; and shall 
receive such compensation as may be agreed 
upon by him and the Overseers, and may be re- 
moved at the pleasure of the Overseers. It shall 
be the duty of the Overseers to meet at the work- 
house on the last Saturday in February, May, 
August, and November annually, for the purpose 
of inspecting the concerns of the establishment, 
and giving directions to the master. It shall be 
the duty also for one of the Overseers to visit the 
work-house as often as once a month, for the 
purpose of inspecting the management of the 
concerns, the usage of the inmates, and giving 
directions to the master, &c. At their meeting 
in February, they shall take an inventory of all 
the personal property, and the betterments, if 
any, which shall be recorded in a book kept by 
them for that and other purposes. They shall 
keep a record of all persons who are supported 
in the work-house ; the time when they came, 
and when they go away ; and to record all other 
matters which they shall deem necessary : all of 
which shall be reported by them at the annual 
March meeting." 



96 



TOWN HISTORY. 



Power and Duty of the Master. 

" The Master shall have the immediate care 
and control of the inmates, and all the property 
belonging to the institution ; and shall give an 
account of the same to the Overseers, when called 
upon by them : he shall see that the inmates are 
suitably provided with lodging, clothes and food, 
and shall call on the Overseers for such things as 
are necessary for that purpose. It shall be the 
duty of the Master to see that all who are able 
to labor, are employed in such a manner as shall 
be most advantageous to the town ; and to in- 
struct in regard to the moral character of all 
persons in his care, and see that the Sabbath is 
duly observed ; and to take care of all the fires, 
see that the lights are put out, that the inmates 
retire in proper season, and the children in his 
care are suitably schooled ; it shall also be his 
duty to punish any one of the inmates who are 
refractory, or disobedient, and perform all other 
duties which may devolve on him by the direc- 
tion of the Overseers." 

Duty of the Inmates. 

" All persons who are maintained in the work- 
house, shall be under the immediate care and 
control of the Master and Mistress of the house, 



TOWN HISTORY. 



97 



and shall not absent themselves from the prem- 
ises without their consent ; and such as are able 
to labor, shall labor according to the directions 
of the Master. There shall be no ardent spirits 
used on the premises, except by the special di- 
rection of the Physician. 

The above rules and regulations shall be laid 
before the town at a regular meeting, and when 
accepted by them, shall be the Rules and By-laws 
of the Gardner work-house ; and shall be read 
in the work-house in the presence of the Master 
and Inmates, at the commencement of each year, 
by one of the Overseers. 

These Rules and Regulations may be altered 
or amended at any legal meeting of the town." 

At the annual meeting in March, 1849, 
Voted, to give Levi Heywood, Charles W. 
Bush, Francis Richardson and others, leave to 
fence off a portion of the common, and set out 
ornamental trees on the same. 

At the annual meeting in March, 1859, 
Voted, to raise $4,500, to defray town charges 
the present year. 

Voted, to raise $2,000, for the support of 
schools ; voted to leave $300 of the school money 
in the hands of the Committee to expend in the 

9* 



go TOWN HISTORY. 

several districts at their discretion, so as to make 
the schools as near equal as possible ; and to 
give district No. 4, $50. No. 5, $50. No. 6, 
$75, and the remainder divided equally in pro- 
portion to the number of scholars. 

Voted, that the tax on polls and personal 
property, &c, be paid to the Town Treasurer, on 
or before the 20th of July next, and there shall 
be allowed on the same, and also all who shall 
voluntarily pay their tax on real estate at that 
time, a discount of six per cent.; and all taxes 
on polls and personal property not paid at that 
time, be placed in the hands of a constable for 
collection ; and all who shall voluntarily pay 
their tax on real estate, on or before the 1st 
of October next, a discount of four per cent., 
after which, all taxes not paid on the 1st of De- 
cember, to be put in the hands of a constable 
for collection. 

In accordance with a vote of the town, a build- 
ing is being erected at a probable cost of $14,000 
or $15,000, which is designed for a town hall, 
stores and other purposes. 

There have been 648 legal town meetings 
held in Gardner since its incorporation as a town. 

The amount of money granted, assessed and 
collected by the town, is $319,341. 



TOWN HISTORY. 



99 



a 



co 



V 


T3 


tJ 


£ 


n3 


O 
O 


o 
o 

1 


o 

W 


o 


>» 


>> 


(i 


C5 
u 


w 






5 


.d 


a 


V 


a> 


© 


•Q 


frl 


CO 


GO 


H 






GO 



d « . 
Oaf- 1 

BO S « 

2 =*~ 

£ea£ 
lit oj :^> 



S 2 • 

v o » 

.2 ^3 .a 

j_ a) o 

WCQ i-3 



03 *^ JT 

►-scoH 



e3 " 

•-5 



a 



NJ 



T. 



39 



S> 



w-^a 









8 32 

Mi 



£h .2 



d „ 

CO) » •. 
as a oo Ui . 
•^ 2 a> a> aj 

$*&£§ 

:= § E -S-S 

E5 oQ CO -j -3 



d ~ 

O 83 » ,- d 

do o 03 >- a 

ri CO « _=e CO 

a. 



Jo d 



a 
o a 



2£E^oi 



"2 3 ■ -d 

te^° d 

^ is *p > 5 

0) 'JZ 33 03 o3 



^ c a •- -a 

***** SO 

2 3 ^ .£ «-> 

.22 C > — •£ 

HcoOt^D- 



§ g* -"§ | 

M c ° »*2 

•= S r — a 



d 
o 
o 

m 

.d 



d 

o 

V 

c3 

M 



CQ 






si 
22 



^3 
P, 



w 



QD 



o 






o 
•-9 



O 



o3 

o 



c 
i-s 



P4 

03 
O 



w 



03 



ao e3 
t-rf3 



W 



03 



d 

rd 

o 

»~9 



M 

co "3 

CO 3 

03 

CO 



e3 






^3 



100 



TOWN HISTORY. 



w 






o 






o 

w 






H 



ja 



w 






w 



.P 



C 3 GO 

■as a 

II I 



a 
c 
o 

CI 

PQ 


c 


a 
o 


(a 
1 


J4 
o 

•-a 


,a 


0/ 


S3 


— 


a ja 






-r; 








c 


~ 


ra 



•;sh 



r3 
O 
O 

Cv o 0J 

a c *> 

►•> A 

ee > O 

W a a 

_ CO 03 

B .a .a 
oj ~ «■; 

■2 cs o3 

S = d 

« o o 

Ch -: ) "-3 



ra 

o 
o 

nT-a s 
a> o » 
flog 

e3> J 
tE c fl 

c 2 - 
i «-> «j 

Sort 

£ = ° 



QQ 



a P 

fe of J3 . 

01 o a o tn 

ee i* CO — «? 

«s S -^ a 

-5 c 2-r © 
cc d — > a 
•r p «» 03 .5 
HKcqQcQ 



a 
c 


fc 






^ 


n 






7) 


— 




a) 




N 


oa 


0) 


,a 


a 


■j. 


33 



HH 



T3 
O 

o t; 

a a u 

O 0J 3J 

"2 a .a 

= O C3 

S s O 



§1* 

S3 

ee u a 

,a a o 

X 1/ u 
2 — «8 



a 

a. « 
*^ ^ 
x eg 

.a a 



cr. O 



a *- 



en 53 

7Z S Q 



T3 

~ O 

CJ C 

& & 

© a 

EC a, 

CJ ^ 



a 
■a 



BO! 

* * a 

c a 5, 

w IS * 



M 



H<l 



SJ 



a oa 
ev «- 3 

J2 ~ SJ 

K<5 05 



a 
o 
o 

pq 

a- 



o 

1-3 



Oh 
<S 
O 



03 

« 

a, 
a> 

GO 

o 

•-5 



a. 
a 
Q 



cs 
« 
-a 

a* 

CJ 
03 

o 
•-s 



S3 
O 



a 
o 

o 
e3 

cq 



eS 



a 

c3 

,a 

*j 

es 

a 
o 



Ph 

a 
d 

-a 

a 





a 






a 




a 




o 






o 




o 










-u 




m 


(a 


0) 




e 


C9 


o 


CJ 

03 


eS 
s- 
o 


2 2 




-1 


OS'S 

si 

r-t a 


JT a 


CS 03 




i-H 3 


»— I '2 




i— i 


rl tn 


o 


03 


JO 


t. 




u 




^ 


CQ 


^ 


e 

N 

CJ 


CQ 


CJ 


w 




-4J 


a 


a 


-*> 


a 


H-3 




Ph 


^a 


o 


Ph 


CJ 


Ph 




03 


o 


ja 


03 


A 


03 




O 


•-8 


W 


o 


W 


O 



TOWN HISTORY. 



H 



101 



IS fc 

o o 

K W 



■© .ft 



* 

o 

w 


CO 
o3 


o 


O 


o 


J-l 


o3 


o 


O 


o 


CO 


a 


fl 


fl 


d 


a 




o 


o 


o 


a> 




t- 


L* 


Sh 


.ft 


a 


e3 


a 


e3 


H 


w 


< 


< 


<1 



co 










o c p 


itney, 

ell, 

er. 


V s 




CO © © 


no 2 

CO fl . 


c — <-> 




3»."S 






c if 


-^ 


a © .ti 


fl--d 


.£ tr-=3 

^ ^ ^ 




,2 £.fl 

C0~> 






!> s3 3J 


m 


>».a 


.a 
ft. 

CO 
00 


CE c^ 


"">— 33 

CE 5 ^ a 


Simeon 
Samnel 
William 




co = — 








cs g co 

5£ * 


a E 

CO 03 


co -JS s3 


CJ 53 "^ 








rt-© fl 
c = <o 


•s^ 


© fl — 


■§ = ■3 












eoiir 


© 
>-5 




















"O 




f© 


















o 




o 


















o 




o 




„ 








. 






* 




£ 


>i 


of sT ►» 




_r co" aT 




>» 


_r oT 


o' «■ 


fl „ 




fl 


oj a3 


CO fcn CO 




fl be a> 




co 


fl co 


be'© . 


X ^ 




£ *"" 


as 2 

^i© 

©.5S 


Reuben Havn 
James Coolid 
Aaron Wood, 
Joshua Whitn 
Joel Wilder. 


^-c * ©.ft 

o3 « a; fl S 

r 1) ,*; r 3 

«E = g-g 

— X «•> rt O 


C fl . 
K >,'© 

•* 05© 

©~ o 
Ha s t> 

- '_ Z- 
JZ Si O 
ir. 3 s- 

inr i> 03 


s 5 = 

O 50 'S 

©— © 
o « 

CO <u— . 


<u co 

O * 
fl=° 

C3 or 

.S 03 

«E 

fl 2 


CO 

M 
CO 

Qt 

fl 


^ CO ^ 

o3 bcPh 
^2 o3 M 

03 S o 

fl © di 






CO 

co 






CD 


CO 


CO 




00 


ta 






fl 

eS 

w 






<D 


CO 


CO 




CO 


CO 


■*> 








o 


fl 
>> 


fl 




c 


fl 


o 
o 

03 

cp 








cS 


o3 

w 


03 




OS 

w 


C3 

n 




fl 






» 


fl 


fl 




fl 


fl 


u 




CO 






<x> 


CO 


CO 




CO 


CO 


ft 




.Q 






.ft 


.ft 


.© 




.©. 


^2 


a 




fl 






fl 


fl 


fl 




fl 


s 




CD 






CO 


0) 


CO 




0> 


CO 


o3 
.fl 




M 






M 


M 


« 




« 


« . 


t-> 






















a 




+» 






«a 


•4-3 


4a 




*3 


■♦^ 


a 




& 






ft. 


& 


ft. 




ft. 


a. 


o 




e9 






03 


03 


cS 




o3 


03 


•-9 




O 






o 


O 


O 




o 


o 






fl 






fl 
















o 






o 


. 


. 






. 



55 



^ 



W M 

£© g* 

d 3 03 oj 



5 s* & 

O °3 03 

»"9 O t> 



03 




03 






03 


•a 




•© 






■© 


• a 




fl 






• fl 


C5 CO 


o 




l-H 




G^» 3 


1^- W 


o 
<x 


M 


O 

cc 


bO 


(X) ^ 


l^ ^, 


IH 


r _ H 


rn 


T3 


^^ , , 


co 




CO 




- 


CO 


^2 




^2 






.ft 


< 




-< 




^3 
ft. 


< 










<0 
















© 




o 






o 


O 




O 




•-a 


o 



102 



TOWN HISTORY. 













































o* 




CJ 
























t5 
o 






•a 
o 










oo 

m 




> 
CO 

c 
























o 
tc 

CO 

O 






o 

to 

03 

O 










TO 

o 

o 




<v 
























►■9 






»-9 










P 




























> 






> 










o 




ta 
























D3 






C3 










o3 
<1 






o* 








u 








h 






u 






C 




h 






>H 




a 










<u 








o» 






4> 






00 




V 






00 




0) 


H 








°N 








"S 






'5 






*N 




'S 






"n 




s- 










cj 








03 






03 






03 




oS 






03 




3 












































03 


H3 

O 








a 








o 






3 






s 




3 






3 




a) 


O 








CO 








CO 






CO 






CO 




CO 






00 




H 


£ 

< 








"5 

co 
►J 








'6s 












a> 










eo 
















C 
























c 




(H 
















i-a 






















Ha 




•-s 






tz 








£t3~ 






















, 


•a 




t^-Tf 






a> 


aT 






of 4 ' 


>- 






m 


















t- 


02 


05 !l 





in 
S- 

o 


c 
2 






OJ -. 


o 






OJ "O 

c. d 
>>o3 


=3 












CD 




d 
>> 


m Whitn 
in Bickfo 
Wood. 


DQ 

a> 

DQ 





o: 

c 


d 
c 
O 






3 

3 






oi 

w 

c 


e 


O 

o 


d 
a> 

a 






d 
a> 

a 




45 


S 


r3 

d 







c3 


0/ 


J3 




CO 93 


93 






CJ 


o 




♦i 






■fj 




CO 


c^ 


0) 


es 03 fl 


• 


= P 


'on 

o 

-3 




.OS 

P — 

cj IT" 


1 






p 

09 

£3 


a 


d 
<5 


1) 






o 

02 




05 


^ 


3 
I) 

Ph 


Willi 
Willi 
Aaro 





































































C 






h 


Ih 


































hj 






^ 


»-s 
























































I 


















• 




t^ta 




>i-3 


>>r3 




>> 






>> 








co" 






lD 






>» 




» 


Ch 




d> 


i- 


Ov — 


u 


tu 


tT 


m 


« cToS 


a 

9 
| 


p 


bo"2 


p 

B9 


Wood. 

1 Stone, 
Coolidffi 


03 


o 


01 

d 


§ 

* 


d 




'd" 

c 

1 


4^ 


a 

o 


5=2 


03 


p 
3 


33 

s 

03 


d 


d 30 00 

S'B P 


n 
< 


03 


c 

2 


o 
s 
3 


CJ -C 

— *" 

Pr* 


a 


C -d 


s a 


Is 
a a 


^£3 
a a s 


a 




a « p 


b 




2 03 

P co 

S S 

w o3 
CO — 


30 


"> 
V 


Aaron 

Samue 
James 
Simeoi 


d 

c 
1~ 

a 

< 


a 

J) 


d 
c 
>- 

* 
< 


CB C3 


d 
o 

< 


03 # oj 


oi c3 


— 

s 


03 
1 


d 

E 

X 


3 
CO 

PS 


iWillia 
Smyrc 
Reube 






CO 








DO 








CO 






00 






CO 




CO 






00 






V 








CU 








OJ 






o 






OJ 




V 






CO 






a 








p 








a 






d 






p 




p 






p 






>* 








t>» 








>> 






>> 






>» 




>> 






>» 






es 








03 








03 






03 






o3 




o3 






03 






w 








ta 








w 












w 




w 






W 




s 


a 








p 








d 






a 






p 




p 






P 




5 


a> 








CO 








0) 






<u 






V 




oo 






00 




X! 








£i 








.O 






^2 






,d 




^2 






.Q 




a 


S3 








p 








d 






P 






P 




P 






P 




o 


00 








00 








o 






<U 






01 




Oi 






CO 




« 








m 








rt 






K 






fi 




« 






« 




E-i 


43 

a, 

83 

O 








Cm 
es 

Q 








O 






03 

Q 






+3 

P4 

03 
O 




*3 

03 

O 






•♦J 

Pi 

03 

O 




o5 


"o3 
t3 








0) 








cy 






"oi 






03 














hi 


a 






















p 




















o 










• "n 








• 'fo 






• aj 






• N 




• SI 






• *N 




03 


Stf 














>2 C3 

c — « 




S:^ 






t~ o3 




00 CO 

° 7Z 






35 3} 




0> 


a> . 








oo rj5 






oo C5 




CO 






oo ;5 




oo ^5 






|3 




o 


~«! 








co 






00 




^-< 






l-H 

09 




i— i 

09 






_ OO 
















































s 










oo 




















o 
i-3 










i 

40 



TOWN HISTORY. 



103 



a* 




O* 




cr< 






0< 


















W 






CO 




00 




09 






no 






T3~ 

o 






T3 

o 






03 






•a* 

o 




13* 
O 




o 






•cT 
o 


















d 






o 




O 




o 






o 






















£ 




£ 




£ 






£ 






PQ 






s 






F 






< 




< 




•^ 






< 






£ 






^ 






fc 


























. 






d 






d 




d 


. 




a* 




O* 






a* 






D 1 






o 






o 




o 


H 




m 




no 






w 






CO 






00 






09 




09 


V 




H 




w 






H 




k. 


w 












T3 
f-c 




13 
Pi 


N 




.»■ 






















c3 






03 




03 


e3 

o 

00 




<X> 

"3 

e3 




Fh 


*N 
03 






03 






03 






o 






^3 




.a 
P5 
















1—4 
























'5 




O 




O 






o 






O 






03 






03 




OS 


03 


























0D 






00 




09 


J 




GO 




co 






CO 






CO 






<J 






< 




<J 




c 


C 




c 












h 
















Fh 




>-s 


»-s 




t-a 












»-) 
















•-S 


^T3" 


t^d' 




tf 




d 








•d" 


<-T 




>i 










ts% T3~ 


a> 


(H 


a- - 




!-. 


00 


o 

Si 

•-> 
d 

cq 

eS 








ti 


— 


ll 


03 




u 






03 S-( 


Wood, 
m Whitn 
tn Bickfo 


c t o-s 


.2 

.J* 
O 

s 
a 


>. 

33 
d 


d 

03 

a 






t2 «^ «3 

.2 § ^ 
Soao 

g o3 o3 


a 

IS 

B 


O 
u 


03 

— 

3 

03 


d 

03 

a 




a M a 


Aaron 
Willia 
Willia 


c3 S 


o 

s 




33 

S 
13 


a 
— 

a 


o 

03 
*03 

0Q 






c3 


- El 

— t- 

a a 

/2CO 




S 

CI 

-s 


d 
>> 

a 

CO 


O 
03 

CO 




.2 S^ 
IIS 




:J 


{i 




£ 






(H 






tH 






£ 






*4 




5^ 




•-9 


^ 




*-i 






>"3 






»~3 






i-> 






•-s 




1-3 








































>» - 


13 


t3 




•d 






13 


ha 




■TJ 


G 




»a 






>>T3 




^ «r 


03 a. 






09 






00 


£ 






(h 






Ih 


u 




03 ti 




*- & 


d £ 


1 


° s 


a 


<2 


Oi 


a 
1 


<2 


O 

■— 


>» 


a 


ki 


>, 


£ 


z> 




££ 


>» 


,C bC 


2 b 


'5 






3 

sS 
33 


Sg 

coca 


_o3 


• - ■ X 

PQCQ 


i2 

o 




o 
o 


^03 


"5 


M .3 
.i -2 *^ 

53 2 


£ a 


a 


S3 * 

S CCs. 


a 


73 


a 


93 


CO 


a 


03 


CO 


s 


03^ 


a a 


OQ 


C -L. 't- 


o3 a> 


o3 


o3 ii 




eS 


03 




.2 


a 


35 


S3 


a 


oo 


03 




d 


03 o3 


CQ 


3 3 




— 3 


o3 




-= 


"as 




— 


<p 




>> 


a 


s 


S>5 


o 

— 


SH 


S 


5^S"> 




S 


jr* a, o 


1 


O) o 


i 


a s 

3Q"-s 


t 


B 

X 


es 


E 


B 
si 


33 


^^ 


73 
-5 


t7 ^ ^ 


00 




00 




00 






00 






00 






00 






09 






03 




V 




03 






03 






03 






03 






03 






a 




a 




d 






d 






d 






d 






d 






c*» 




>% 




t» 






>> 






>> 






>> 






>» 






03 




a3 




03 






03 






03 






03 






CT 






w 




td 




w 






a 






w 






w 






w 




d 
o 


d 




a 




d 






d 






d 






d 






d 




00 

13 


<u 




a> 




03 






03 






03 






03 






03 




.Q 




^5 




.n 






«Q 






.o 






^= 






^3 




03 


d 




3 











d 






d 






d 






d 




_a 


03 




03 




V 






03 






03 






03 






03 




o 


P5 




P3 




« 






P5 






« 






« 






Ph 




s 


+3 




4» 




•pi 






-tj 






-*j 






+j 






-*^ 






Pi 




a, 




P- 






Ph 






a 






A 






P< 




03 


09 




cs 




03 






03 






oS 






03 






o3 




09 


o 




O 




o 






O 






O 






o 






o 




< 



2i5 

09 
03 



1—1 M 



O 

O 



CO — 

03 
09 

<1 



CO ca 

oo3 
I— I 

00 



**• 03 


^s 


co 


»- 33 






i— i • 




co r^ 


co 


co 3 
i— i •-* 


con 
i— i 


09 


09 


H 




l* 


£ 


03 


iS 




03 


CO 


03 


J 


^ 


<1 


J 



104 



TOWN HISTORY. 









cr 




6< 
























on 






co 




CO 
























co 

> 






H 




w 
























A 






>i 




l£ 






























0. 




<u 
























C 






fl 




13 
























CO 






*j 




+a 


























































01 






.a 




J3 
























0) 






E 




► 
























« 






** 




£ 


























a 




n 




a 




a 






S3 






. 










o 




o 




o 




o 






O 






r O 






^3 




09 




CO 




09 




09 






00 






o 






o 


*H 


T3 




^3 




•a 




•a 






T3 






o 






o 


a> 


Pi 




«- 




Pi 




Pi 






Pi 












tt 




cJ 




es 




83 




03 






03 










3 


^3 




^3 




rO 




rfl 






^3 










>» 


03 
J) 






s 




CJ 




s 






o 

f2 






w 






CD 

w 


H 


83 
00 




c3 

CO 




83 
00 

< 




83 
09 

<1 






03 
OB 

< 






's? 

CD 

PQ 






a 

CD 

PQ 








c 




p 






P 












s-i 












h ^^" 




*-i 


T3 




1-8 t3 










-8 




TJ* 








»"3 

re O 




>>'C 


o 
O 


>->T3" 


O 
O 


ts 






t^rs 




>;§ 








P o 




CD P. 


c: 


<D 


P 










CD 


P 




2 t» • 
5 >»>> 


00 

p 






PQ u 




C c2 


w 


a 

■»a 


£ 


s 

CJ 


>> 




c 


a 


>» 


O 
to 

CO 

a> 

CO 


S3 
a> 




p 

a> 

ic 


St 


3 




w 

d 


09 

o 




IS 


a 


e3 

o 


— CD 03 


■<! 


a 




71 

eq 

S3 
Pi 

SI 


a a 


a 


a a 


'a 


a «8 
1- 


OD 




a a 


ca 


ea 00 








c- CD 


.2 .2 


oo 


ed 


aS 


ea 


09 
CD 




.2 


S3 


co 

CD 


.2 03 g 




CO 




5*3 


§H 


— : 

23 


gg 


■■ — 1 

a 

CD 

pa 


PS "3 

S5 







IS 


s 

1-3 


E'=a 
^«4 




-^ 








*4 




pi 






















»-5 








t-s 




i-a 






















fcvo 




„ 




j£-3 


. 


T3* 


03 






CD* 






CD* 




aT 




c Pi 




pT m 




CD Pi 


93 


Pi 








CD 










CD 


£3 
4) 




>> 


CD -M 

•a o 


S3 


°c2 


a 
o 


^ 


1 


p 


>. Pi- 


E 


S3 

o 


p? 


a 




p-a 


| 




oS 


N C3 




<j 


M 


C 


CD 


cs CD 


o 


oo 


CD 


o 




CD O 


££ 

a a 


P3 


.2.C 


O 


a a 


7j 


o 


a 


'5 


-— 's: 


Q^a 


'5 


O 


CD 


nOo 


03 


o 
cj 

CO 




CJ 
83 
-5 


d 
S 

q4 


f5 

a 


s 


S3 

3 


coo 


S 


73 


ea 

5 


S 


CD 

O 


j2 • £ 

3a 6 




es e3 


co 


c 


CS & 


03 


u; 


GC 


CO CD 


SR 


^3 


CD 


OD 


H 


09 ?Q 






u 


P J 










CD 




CD .~ 


CD 


cci 




CJ 




— CD ^ 




~ z: 


a 


cc^<1 


*~r. " 


5"" 


7^ 


s 


fe 


E 1 


a 


r. 


*s 


CO 


£2« 




k£ 


83 
!-9 


££ 


a> 

pq 


F 


S3 


cu 

ij 


r-SP2 


83 6 
1-8 >-8 


CD 

p3 


03 

— 


c 

-8 


<»(sc 

r-T-S 




























fab 






bb 


to 
M 


o 








(3 
O 




S3 
O 






a 
o 






S3 








CO 


09 




'5 




on 




09 






CO 














5 


T3 
P 




83 




Pi 




Pi 






n3 

Pi 






"3 

83 






*3 

C3 


C 


03 

.J3 
c_> 




a 

C3 




83 

rfl 

o 




83 

r23 
CJ 






83 

^3 
o 






s^ 
CO 






CO 


o 


s 

o3 
03 




a 

Pi 
>» 

s 

CO 




83 
09 

««1 




83 
09 

<1 






« 

83 
CO 

< 






CD 

"3 

83 

Q 






"CD 

'3 

83 

Q 




o< 
































»5 

© 










p! 

cd 




• "5 






p 

CD 

. *3 






p 

• 






CD 


eS 


co a> 


C2 


83 




O c3 




r; s 






e^ o3 






CO 03 






"«* d 


•— ' S3 








esl 7Z 




CM -3 






CN — • 






CM —i 






CM — « 


a) 


co 43 


qo 


O 




oo O 




OOfJj 






oc O 






oo c5 






co Q 


-d 


i— i ■-» 


r* 






rH 




i— i 






r— 1 






i-i 






r-H 


c 






CD 




09 




CD 






09 






09 






09 


3 


































|> 




% 




V 




fc* 






is 






't* 






'Is 




£ 




O 




© 




CD 






CD 






CD 






CD 






J 




hJ 




^ 






►-3 






J 






J 



TOWN HISTORY. 



105 



a* 




Fh 


(h 


Pi 




T3 




CO 




OJ 


oj 


cj 




O 




w 




N 


N 


N 








r. 




03 


03 


03 




£ 




OJ 




a 


o 


o 




>* 

oj 




a 




o3 


03 


oJ 




m 




.3 




a 


C 


a 








£ 




h 

>» 








o 

a 




bJ 




a 


s 


a 






p£ 




GO 


GO 


CO 




H 




■d 


13 


d 


r-4 


d 


"73 


d 


-3 


o 


O 


O 


o 


O 


O 


O 


o 


o 


o 


O 


o 


O 


O 


o 


o 


£ 


fc 


£ 


& 


£ 


fc 


£ 


t 


>» 


>* 


t>» 


>> 


>» 


>> 


o» 


p*» 



w w h w w a h s 



co co co co co co co 





13 






d 








-a 
o 
o • 

- & a 

03 3 M 

C £ ^ 

™ ». .2 


O ~ 
O >-> 

& i ^ 


3 3 


of .3 . 

Sz3 




a 8 

a'- ! 


£3~ 


- d 

OJ 

5^ 


•d" 
• 
>» 


.£*<§ 

S H a 


C> — . * 

go •«* 


£.2Q 

D 2 a 
%-. -3 +* 
g^ 33 

"2; 3 


Bo 30 


• 3J >» 

J= — < 1/ 


^^ 

CO >> 

00 ^. g 

2 2 ^ 
1.2 a 


James 
Walte 
Asa K 


03 £ — i 

co^^ 


3 .5. 2 


= |4 
III 


o3 d » 


o3 * *j 

- 3 3 

^ '-s H 








d" 


T3~ 


^.r 


'd* ^ 




a> 

.2 ,° 
*5 ^> s3 


O) 
OJ 

'5 -^ o3 


3*V ■ 

J S ftp 




. 

p £ 3 


O 
O 

c -a 
oj to . 

0/ T" u 






fe ^"d 

a, to i> 

OJ ■3: 3J 


ts -.2? 


" 00* 

OJ .^5 

be > 

fl -T3 oJ . 

%£"ZO-v 
*- ftt! • x 


.2 S-O 


Sag 

CO ?0 


*1£ 


Site 


t^ 2 

a, "3: O 


t- c a 
oj -a 33 
■^ ^3 -3 


c .-Oh . S? 

^3 ~ ••-. fti 


I: s "3 

"< 03 

•— ^ -1 


1-\S -3 

41 53 O 

— t-3-S 


c B » 


6g| 

— P* i-j 


= 57— < 

03 30 U 

> 

-* -s -s 


— 3> t3 
* g 33 




33 -a ^3 D 00 




_ I 










-d 


d 


ti 


















B 


a 


p 














»3 




QQ 





d 


t5 


d 


* 


E£ 


p— < 


13 


CO 


O 


c 





t>» 


>. 


p 


%4 


T3 


O 


O 





OJ 


OJ 


03 
ft. 

CQ 


crt 


03 


* 


* 


te 


w 


w 





.B 


H 


w 


OJ 


^ 


fe 














•l"1 


■"-» 


B 


C3 


03 


> 


> 


> 


a 


a 


03 


CO 


en 


0J 


OJ 


OJ 


OJ 


OJ 


Q 


<3 


<3 


3 


J 


J 


CO 


CO 



• N 


• NJ 




. a 


. 3 


. a 


. 3 


« o3 


& 33 


t— o3 


cc 3 


CTi 3 


3 


F- 3 


CM —1 


CN -J 


<m --; 


co — ' 


CM ^ 
CO ^ 


CO -s 

00—1 


co 

co "~ ' 


od ^3 


coo 


00 


CO 


t-1 
en 


33 


'- a 


f- 1 3 


^ 3 


"- 1 d 














*j 


fi 


^ 


£ 


ti 


M 


t- 


Pi 


OJ 


a> 




03 


03 


oJ 


ec? 


M 


J 


1-1 


a 


^ 


a 


S 



a 



10 



106 



TOWN HISTORY. 





T3 








13 
















•0 








TO 


O 








O 

























> 


O 








O 




>i 























£ 








St 




oS 












Et 








oi 


>1 








t»» 




prj 












>» 








CD 
CO 


CD 








09 




o 












CD 








w 








w 
















w 








ft 

0) 

(3 


d 








6 




DO 

CD 












6 








a 








a 




a 












a 




















oi 






















H 








P 




»-9 












H 














T3 




T3 




H3 






13 






'C 






fQ 




'3 




O 




O 




O 






O 













O 




o 




o 




O 




O 






O 













O 


to 


o 




► 




£ 




fe 






Es 






te 






E= 


CD 


£ 




>» 




>» 




>> 






t>» 






>» 






>> 




CD 

w 




CD 




o 




CD 






CD 






CD 






CD 


3 
co 




W 




M 




w 






a 






H 






w 


c3 




u 




F-i 




Ch 






u 






S-, 






Fh 


S-, 






o 




CD 




CD 






CD 






CD 






CD 


H 


'a 




;*5 




•+S 




-t-s 






-4^ 






-1J 






>J 






e3 




*o1 




*o3 






■3 






'3 






'cl 




CD 

03 




£ 




£ 




^ 






^ 






^ 






> 
























«a 








^ 


•la 
















Cm 






Six 








=— 


<M 




rs 




>3~ 




'a' 






O 

t4 









-3 


"O* 




3 


O 
Fh 




© _ 




O 




o 






o 






t3 


3 







O 


O 


BO 


2 *> 


T3 


o 


>> 

CD 


o 

|S 13 


u 

3 
-- 


"O" 


a 

.-5 




^J 


OS 


3 
ft 





— 


3 

co 




3 


>>« 


d 


>>a 


>>a 


C 


X 


1 


a 03 


>i 


t^ 


3 


X 


rr « W 


CO 


cu .t; 


SB 


0) es 




CD 03 




03 




o 

3 


OB 




CD 


CD 


x 




c =3 . 
-c m a 

P. CD t-t 

63 a S» 

« oi a 


en 

to 

to 


>>> 

.a <t 

a S 


U 
03 

BO 

03 

3 


t^— 9- 

5 03 33 
2 03 03 

£ a a 


£ <S 03 


SE 1 


1— 
00 

03 

a 


a 


a 
fa 

3 
CD 


w 

fa 

CD 


X 

93 

X 

3 


I* 

a 

a 




H <*<} 


[H*<<! 


p-<i <3 


•<cc < 


<i 


x 


X 


03 <0! 


-^*-sCQ 






a: 


- of 




oT 




v? 






m 






oT 




s 


»r 


9 

a 

o 

V 

CO 

GO 


CD .j- 

cu .5 

U * 
a^ 


> 

oo 

Q 

0) 


cd •- 

t=* a 

rO o 

o:< o 
ft. =3 


p§ 

cd i-s 


a 

09 
CD 

— 

3 


P c 

•^ 03 
CD »-5 


a 

CD 
U 

a 


a 

P 

i 

CD 


a 

OB 

Em 

c 


5 
3 


P 

CD 


a"^ 

CD> 
U 

d*3 


03 fl H 

P cv {jo 

cd a - 




-Si 


SaC 


1* 


CJ 


-2 


o3 




eg 




Fh 


- 


a 


60 


J 


3 
-3 


£3 « 




*- C3 


o 


CO o 


ri 


o 5 


*>3 


o 


« 


— -■> 


e 


4J 


00 


c 


^~ 


-j 




co -3 


V 


'C CD 


co 


QJ TO 


03 


CD 


s3 


■a 


CD 


93 


TJ 


CD 


d3 


03 


<D C3 g 




£<o 


<C3 




o^ 


x; 


C 


7. 


s 


OSS- 


C^S 


CZh, 




•T3 




13 




■73 




»« 






■7D 






>d 






O 

O 




O 




O 




O 




o 




















^ 


CO 


o 




o 




o 




o 




















<- 


£ 




It 




Ft 




► 






tt 






ft 








0) 


t>> 




>» 




t>> 




>» 






>» 






c>. 






fa 




cd 




cy 




cd 




CD 






CD 






CD 








w 




w 




m 




w 






w 






w 






CO 

a 


o 


fa 




fa 




fa 




fa 






fa 






fa 






s 


H 


a 
03 




a 

CO 

03 




's 9 

03 




•I- » 

a 

CD 

03 






a 

CD 

03 






a 

CD 

03 






Pi 

O 


H 




Fh 




u 




t* 




M 












Fh 










a> 




09 




<D 




CD 












CD 










■♦j 




-*> 




-»-> 




*a 












■♦a 










00 




00 




CO 




CO 






T3 






CO 






t3 


c 


. a 




. a 




. a 




. a 






. 






. a 






. O 


Sh 

cd 


CO 3 




■»»• 3 




»T5 3 




O 3 






t- 






00 3 






Oi O 


CO ^ 




00 "* 




00 M 




CO -S 






CO>. 






COQ 






CO >. 


-3 
o 


"-* d 




ri a 




«-• a 




«-" # a 






^J 






'-'a 






^^3 


3 


*j 




*> 




*J 




<-> 






Ph 






*j 






Pi 


(i 




F* 




»4 




u 






C3 
CO 






M 






CO 




03 




e3 




eS 




c3 










ed 






00 


j 


a 




a 




H 




3 






< 






S 






-< 



TOWN HISTORY. 



107 



o +^ 

£ to 

.A 

6 «« 
c *> 

P w 



to 

rP 



^3 

to 

,P 
P* 



O 



bO 

$ 

rP 
P4 



o 
►■a 



p 

c3 



QQ 



a 
M 



w 



09 



o 
>» 

w 



Si 



•C3 

O 

o 

w 

CO 



o 

W 



T3 
O 
O 

w 



T3 
o 
o 

id 

w 



0Q 



.CO -3 



6.2 



to 



-d£ W 

P- 63 P 



o . 



P. S- *-> 



03 T3 

SOT 
P 63 

.d o 5 



32 



"5 "eS 

eS T3 

5-2 

W tt^ 
-a 'O 

c_P -° 



*-~2 

n a 
« s . 

os cS^ 

° c 5 

HccQ 



T3 

o 

o 

pt 

>> 

w 

.d 



•3 S-s 

■ ~ OS rj 
OS a) 'fl 

gs+j 

E-fcX 



w 

*d 

+» 

a) 
CO 

.2 « I 

§ ^ a 

rh o a> 

• -s O 

w : . 

osCCCQ 

53 p a 
P c ■> 

,P 63 6S 



63 ^» 63 



o 

'> - p 

£-p a 



S S a 

C-5 30 



S^ a 

tc p. 2 
^ ST SL 
S » p 

^ C H 



p 

fcC P P< 

m I s 



>-? < S5 E-i>h 



a; o 

" S I 

O « _i 

<x> — • 

• t. a> 

f 2 ^ tc 

^ ^ H 

£- p 

O 63^3 



• ^. OS 

o: "^ 

63 gW 

E u a 

O Cj 



c.tp 

63 "E 

bt> « 

►*< P c3 



OS 

*> 

^ 6j 

c ^; 

O • u 

£*% 

g-fc d 

ffl O rt 

•< c >^> 






^ 



-P ai « 

& ^: -2 
<^ - p< 

o: r a> 
c -P *» 
>-s H CQ 



o 
o 

> 



dt 


ptl 


P4 


^3 


oo 


OS 


OS 


o 


a 


p 


p 


H 
















^a 


^a 


.P 




& 


P< 


Ph 


w 


o 


o 


O 


p 


o 


<L> 


ID 


c3 


ja 


ja 


.P 


Iw 


P 


H 


H 


EE4 



e8 

rP 

o 

s 



^3 



63 

o 



63 

^3 



. p 


. o 


© p 


l-H O 


00 ^ 




i- a 


•""pCS 


■*j 


P. 


>-. 


63 


eS 


OS 


a 


"^ 



a 



OS 


OS 


13 


13 


p 


. p 


. O 


. O 


3 


"* p 


1C o 


CD O 


Q 


00 u-1 


Z£ 


oc P" 


d 


•^ p 


-,p 


'"^a 


£ 


+3 


Pi 


Pi 


s~ 


(H 


08 


03 


el 


63 


OB 


n 


a 


a 


•4 


<1 



'^3 
P< 
03 



108 



TOWN HISTORY. 



to 
4) 








cd 


















>> 

CD 






















"n 


















a 






*j 






-w 




^3 






a 






pj 






* 






4a 






rP 






rP 


03 


O 

o 






5 






V 






0J 






3 






tfl 






bp 



V 
TO 

s- 


■P 










"—3 

w 






bo 
T3 






eS 

CO 






r3 






"si 

T3 


a 






00 






a 






a 






e3 














CD 


s3 

<3 






o 
.P 
H 






.p 
o 






3 






a 






o3 

a 






> 
c4 
P 




o 
o 






p 






a 






a 






a 






d 






P 


Eh 






o 






o 






o 






o 






o 






O 


o> 












CD 






OQ 






CO 






co 






CO 








& 






^3 






^5 






rM 






^3 






rW 


3 


>t 






o 






O 






o 






O 






o 






o 


c3 
• 


o> 






c3 






CIS 






S3 






o3 






o3 






03 


w 






»-s 






>-i 






»"9 






*-» 






►-> 






•-s 


H 


.P 

CD 

GO 






03 












03 












03 






03 






— 






£ 








B 
























», 









3 


. 






^> 
























a 
c 


o 




*3 




a 

3 






CD 

a 




















C— " co 

a- ^3 C3 

♦* — CD 


B 


co 


2 




.5? 


z 


CO 


£ 




^ 


fc^ 




3 














to 

s 








p 

03 


£ 


O 
S3 


0. 

a 


1 


5 
►5 


a 
*3 


5 


& 

-3 
30 

3 
SI 

a 

3 














co ^3 S 

£5» 


<1> 
w 

< 


CCGC 
a a 


31 

IP 

a 

I: 


50 

> 


3Q 

a 
o 


a 

CO 


3] 


30 


15 

c 

CO 


35 


a 

CD 

a 

o 

CD 

CD 






a 

CD 

a 

O 

CD 






t^'-'-sl 
c 03 

S3 3 . 




<o 


•-a 


25 


39 


-^ 


< 


■— 


~i 


<ca 


< 


02 






03 






E-Mo3 






































-»-> 


■«a 






































«M 


<— i 






i-a 




t-l 






t-T 






^r 














C 


3 


O 




jj" 


h 




HI 






oj 




d 


OJ 


s-T 


d 


a 








i; 


!-. 


hi 




<u 


s 


^ 


*N 






'5 


8J 


3 
co 


*S 


s 


o 

00 


o 

CO 






*" 


5 


a 


CD — P 




o 


co 

c 

c 


03 
3J 

X 

5 


u 

& 
s 


c 


a? 

X 

- 


CD 

•J 
;-! 
u 


OC EC 

HO 


33 

i-a 


03 co 

6| 

HO 


-S3 

o 

73 


eg 
o3 

1-5 


S3 


d 
o 


"cD 

% 

03 

C 
N 
P 


J: t3 


^ 


"3 


0. 


3 
s: 




co 

a 


33 


to 

E 


>! 


03 
e3 


CO 

S 


> 


c3 


CQ 




Zi 

00 

a 


co 

1 


S3 

a 

— 


co a tl 

55 & 




c 


O 


c 


3 


a 


c 


* 





o 


c 


II 


s- 


s3 




C 


c 


>5 














o 




J= 




^a ^ 




e3 


■/ 


a 




;C 


s 




H 




< 


H 


-r 


!-5 


F- Erita 


H 




H 


-S3 <3D3 


< 




03 


r- <3 03 




d 






P 






a 






a 












a 






a 




o 






o 






o 






o 












o 






o 




CO 






CO 






go 






OQ 












co 






CO 


02 


-3 






TJ 






"3 






n3 












•a 






*a 


,M 


t- 






hi 






(-, 






F-c 












t- 






*H 


s 


cs 






OS 






03 






03 






"O 






03 






S3 


.P 






.P 






,P 






^3 






o 






^3 






,P 


5 


o 






cj 






u 






o 






o 






CD 






o 


G 


5 






5 






s 






s 










5 






2 


o 


CO 






CO 






co 






CO 












CO 






00 


























00 














H 


a 






o 
a 






o 

a 






o 

a 






CD 






CD 

a 






"cj 

a 




a 






03 






03 






c3 










o3 






S3 




s- 






(h 






u 






tl 










u 






U 




fa 






fa 






fa 






fa 






-S3 






fa 






fa 


































Fh 






c 




"C 






T3 
























CD 






CD 




t- 




































to 

o 








.a 






. 3 






• o 






►a 

. o 






CSJ 

03 






S) 


o3 
cj 


^ * 






O "3 






O = 






i— 1 3 






CNl O 






eo ^ 






-*' 3 


-+ 1 2 

00 -5-1 

1—1 ""' 






>rH 03 






«7 i> 












oc ■> 




















i— CQ 






1—1 _ 












•— ' — 










Hpij 


c 














,a 






*~ S3 






S3 














£ 








w 






p. 






a* 

03 

CO 

< 






Pi 

0Q 






CO 

o 
H 






CO 

o 
si 
H 



TOWN HISTORY. |QO, 



a 



w s 



t-s -^ H 



£ 



a 


a 


3 






3* 


3 


o 


o 


o 






o 


O 


09 


09 


03 






OD 


DQ 


^ 


,M 


f"3 






,i4 


& 


O 


O 


o 






O 





e3 


03 


03 






o3 


CJ 


»-s 


*-7j 


>-a 






»"9 


1-5 


02 


co 


CO 






QQ 


OQ 


w 


H 


W 






H 


m 


T3" 








^r 


3~ 


a 


O 


'O •* 






c 


O 


"3 


O 


c £ 









w 


03 


Be 

Of i r3 
3 ~ .- 


03 5 
^== 3 




o 

4-9 


3 


3" 7; >, 

O J 4) 


ro 
5 5 3 

■Sea 


C 5-< a 
> -- 3 

^j — - 




a 

cc 




Li 

Li 


is! 


.3 ^ 1> 

w *- J-t 

U. _- -3 


S 5 * 

^ ^ ?3 

< W -i3 


c — 

Qj S- 73 

C = *- 

3 _^ u 
•— > 

CO- h~, 


pi 2 ^ 
03 2 & 
a. r — 3 


* w « 

3 - » 


'C" 




■a 










o 




o 










o . 


*" - a 


o 










a 5 


o-> t. -, 

'5 = » 


Is 




go 


oc . 

a- *» 


_ 05 

♦j a> 


C *=> 


3 




+3 


+j =—■ 


«t- *j 


, 43 73 


a> 

a> 


a 


73 
i3 


-3 ^ 

0*3 | 


. c 03 

S 2^ 


or " • 

•c .< 

fe-=g 


W .H 

03 O) 


3 


— 


3 
'a 


03 • 3 

1 = * 




ec *- 5s 


O -" 73 


u 


s 


;-. 


=* ^ 3 

oc a 


o3 2 ~ 


k r: 73 


-3 . -3 


a 


v. 


73 


a 3 03 


< <% 


EHOGO 


< < 


^ 


<S -u 


<3 <^ 




1= 






6s 


T3 


a 


3 


3 


03 


a> 


<o 


d> 


,3 



o o o o tf 

W M tt 











3 


03 


03 


03 


03 


03 


03 


03 


03 


03 


>-. 


•"5 


»-J 


»-9 


<-> 


Cti 




>H 


c 




H 


0) 


0) 


0) 




a) 


J- 
O 
O 










03 


03 


13 

O 


tsi 
o3 



s s S' J r?' J £> S' J 

2g Sw Sh S^ Sp4 

p CO S3 P« «0 

(-1 O O 03 O 

o -a J 5 ^ 

•-> H H <1 H 



10* 



110 



TOWN HISTORY -VALUATION, &C. 



VALUATION, &c. 

Valuation of the Town for the year 1858, . . $826,475 



No. of Polls, 
No. of Voters, 



654 
500 



Amount of Money raised in 1858, exclusive of 
Highway Tax. 
Town Grant, .... $6,700.00 



County Tax, 
State Tax, 
Overlayings, 



886.31 
371.00 
266.94 



Total, 

The following is a List of Persons paying 
Dollars and upwards. 

Alexander, Eastman, 
Adams, Ezekiel, 
Brick, Elijah, 
Baker, Ezra, 
Baker, Joseph, 
Baker, Richard, 
Bancroft, Smyrna "W., 
Bancroft, Amasa, 
Bush, Charles W., . 
Brick, Alfred EL, . 
Britton, Charles A., 
Bent, A. Allen, 
Bradford, Lewis H., 
Brown, Jonathan, 
Brinkman, John, 



-$8,226.65 



Twenty 









. $20 17 








21 39 








44 41 








67 60 








27 92 








24 10 








81 88 








78 77 








48 23 








36 39 








20 37 








21 91 








37 56 








44 92 








20 48 



TOWN HISTORY.— TAX 


ES. U 


Coolidge, Arteinas, . 


21 39 


Cowee, Joel, .... 


33 68 


Collester, Rugg & Co., 


51 27 


Collester, Maro, 


23 49 


Clark, Alonzo B., 


20 07 


Canterbury, Ira, 


27 10 


Comee, widow Sarah, 


28 10 


Conant, Calvin, 


20 85 


Cobleigh, Luke, 


28 03 


Derb}^ Philander, 


32 73 


Dodd, W. W. & G. W., . 


20 38 


Davis, G. W., Heirs of, 


27 80 


Edgell, John, .... 


96 03 


Ellsworth, G-eorge F., 


20 99 


Eaton, Peter, .... 


45 13 


Eaton, John, .... 


34 78 


Foster, Elijah W., . 


29 64 


Fairbanks, Sardis, 


33 88 


Fairbanks, Levi, 


32 34 


Green, Charles, 


62 01 


Graham, Lewis H., . 


38 10 


Goodspeed, Daniel J., 


24 91 


Greenwood, Edward, 


46 94 


Greenwood, Walter, 


66 14 


Greenwood, Walter, Trustee of Bapt 


ist Society, 40 80 


Greenwood & Wright, 


190 68 


Guild, Willard G., . 


24 43 


Gates, Samuel G., 


24 98 


Gates Marcius A., 


24 56 


Gates, Horace, 


27 94 


Glazier, Thomas E., 


60 09 


Heywood, Seth, 


195 79 



112 



TOWN HISTORY.— 



Heywood Chair Mfg. Co. 

Heywood, L., & Co., 

Heywood, widow Mary, 

Heywood, Levi, 

Hogan & Co., . 

Howe,N. B., . 

Howe, Simeon, 

Hill, Wm. B., Admr. of the est 

Howe, Ebenezer, 

Howe, Joseph P., 

Hill, Henry C, 

Hager, George B., 

Hinds, Abijah, 

Hodgman, George, 

Jackson, Elisha S., 

Jackson, Josiah A., 

Kendall, Hubbard, estate of, 

Kendall, Benjamin T., 

Kendall, Orison, 

Kelton, George, 

Lynde, Wm. S., 

Lovewell, Leonard, 

Lovewell, Isaac, 

Lawrence, Henry, 

Merriam, Albert, 

Morse, C. W., . 

Moore, John M., 

Nichols & Baker, 

Parker, David, 

Parker & Heywood, Trustees of 

Pierce, S. K., . 

Pierce, Jonas, . 



TAXES. 




• • 


291 18 


> . • 


26 65 


. . . 


30 60 


■ . • 


388 09 


. . . 


57 12 


> . • 


48 43 


• . • 


21 04 


of Geo. Howe 


, 25 91 


• . • 


23 94 


. . 


23 59 


. . . 


139 16 


. . . 


38 23 


. . . 


29 75 


> • • 


21 77 


. . 


34 61 


. 


20 92 


. . . 


25 24 


. 


53 95 


. . . 


29 40 


• 


25 91 


. . 


95 91 


• • 


52 33 


. 


23 63 


. 


32 93 


. . 


29 81 


. . . 


21 37 


... 


20 59 


. . • 


24 74 


. . . 


208 89 


Sarah Hey wo oc 


, 61 20 


. 


125 94 


« • « 


58 04 



J.UVVIM JO.-IQHJ 

Partridge, Seneca, . 


ni. — . 


LAAfifl 




11; 

66 03 


Perley, Asa, 








24 40 


Peabody, John H., 








21 59 


Rugg & Osgood, 








53 04 


Richardson, Francis, 








57 54 


Richardson, Asa, 








36 80 


Ray, Heman, 








28 18 


Ray, Amos, 








26 78 


Stevens, S. W. A., . 








30 68 


Stevens, Abel S., 








22 23 


Sawin, L. H., 








54 05 


Sawin, John, 








48 64 


Stone, Benjamin, 








47 32 


Shumway, Charles A., 








24 45 


Scollay, Charles, 








23 54 


Smith, AsaF., 








20 01 


South G-ardner Mfg. Co., 








229 50 


Temple, Seth H., 








42 40 


Temple, C C, 








23 54 


Travers, E. C. J. & 0. A. 








36 83 


Thompson, Hollis, 








24 82 


Wood, Asaph, 








100 99 


Wood, Abel S., 








71 99 


Wood, Nelson P., 








21 80 


Whitney, Amasa, 








98 18 


Whitney, Joseph, 2d, 








24 19 


Whitney, J. & I., 








44 61 


Whitney, J. & J. A., 








31 07 


White, A. & Co., 








47 37 


Wright, Joseph, 








21 85 


Wright, Edward, 








21 04 


Willis, Andrew W., 








29 39 



^j4 town history.— roads. 

Non-Residents. 

Taylor, Stephen, $28 76 

Murdock, E., Sawyer, and others, . . 61 21 

Whitney, Seth, 22 18 

Stone, Leonard, . . . . . 20 40 



E O A D S. 



The town is well supplied with roads, amount- 
ing to between fifty and sixty miles in length, of 
which the following are the principal ones : 

The road leading from Brattleborough to Bos- 
ton, through the south part of the town, is about 
four miles in length, and was originally a turn- 
pike. In the year 1829, it was abandoned as 
such, and made free for public travel. It was 
laid out as a county road by the Commissioners 
in the year 1833, and re-built by the town, at an 
expense of between seven and eight thousand 
dollars. 

The county road leading from Westminster to 
Royalston passes through the center of the 
Town ; length, seven miles. 

The roads from the center of the town, lead- 
ing to Ashburnham, Winchendon, Jonesville, 
Templeton, and Hubbardston, are of about an 
equal length ; viz : from four to five miles. 



TOWN HISTORY— MILITARY. 



115 



The roads belonging to Gardner are kept in 
repair at a cost of from fifteen to eighteen hun- 
dred dollars annually. 

The Vermont and Massachusetts rail-road 
passes through the town from east to west, at 
about an equal distance from the center and south 
village, five or six miles in length. 



MILITARY. 

Soon after the incorporation of the town, a 
militia company was formed of all the able 
bodied men between the ages of eighteen and 
forty-five, (according to the laws of the Com- 
monwealth,) and chose William Bickford, Cap- 
tain. This company continued to do duty, until 
the law requiring such duty was repealed. The 
following are the names of its commanders. 

William Bickford, Reuben Haynes, Samuel 
Edgell, Aaron Greenwood, Abel Kendall, Ben- 
jamin Edgell, David Nichols, Arna Bacon, Ezra 
Moore, William Bickford, Jr., Ahio Temple, 
Levi Priest, Ezekiel Howe, Abel Jackson, Bart- 
lett Stoddard, Henry Whitney, William Learned, 
George W. Cowee and Ephraim Wright. 



116 



TOWN HISTORY.— MILITARY. 



In 1813, a volunteer company was formed, 
called the Gardner Light Infantry. Soon after 
its organization, it was ordered to South Boston, 
where it remained on duty until the close of the 
war. 

The following are the names of the commis- 
sioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and 
privates belonging to this company at the time 
they were ordered into the service of their 
country. 

Ephraim Williams, Captain ; Samuel Sawin, 
Lieut.; Joel Cowee, Ensign ; Ebenezer Bolton, 
1st Sergeant ; Charles Hoar, 2d, do.; Benjamin 
Stone, 3d, do.; Reuben Wheeler, 4th, do. 

Privates : Luke Whitney, Josiah Eaton, Joel 
Wheeler, James Coolidge, Jr., Josiah Wilder, 
Isaac Wilder, David Wilder, Phineas Moore, 
Aaron Conant, Abram F. Glazier, George W. 
Davis, Seth Whitney, Joseph Whitney, 2d., Jos. 
P. Whitney, Thomas Bennett, Jr., Hubbard Ken- 
dall, Joseph L. Newell, Pliny Billings, David 
Perley, David Reed, Jr., Isaac Jackson, John 
Woodbury, Nathl Wright, Jonas Brick, Amasa 
Leland, Farwell Conant, and Benjamin Edgell. 

William Fenno, Drummer ; Levi Divol, Bass, 
do.; Edward Loud, Eifer. 

This was a spirited and well-disciplined com- 



TOWN HISTORY.— MILITARY. i 1 >-i 

pany for about twenty years, under the command 
of the following named officers : 

Ephm Williams, Joel Cowee, Reuben Wheeler, 
Benjamin Stone, Thomas Bennett, Jr., Isaac- 
Jackson, Martin Dunster, Luther Alden, and 
Isaac P. Kendall. 

In 1844, a company was formed called the 
Gardner Greys. The following is a list of the 
officers of the company : 

James Coolidge, 2d, Captain ; David Kendall, 
Joseph Wood, and Hiram Wood, Lieutenants ; 
Charles Leland, Quartermaster ; John W. Hill, 
Henry C. Hill, Aaron B. Jackson, Edwin A Ste- 
vens, and Alonzo B. Clark, Sergeants ; Josiah 
A. Jackson, Hosea Adams, John H. Peabody, 
and James W. Woodbury, Corporals ; Aaron B. 
Jackson, Treasurer. 

Privates : Edwin Hill, Asher W. Shattuck, 
James B. Lord, Ebenezer Ballon, Alonzo Davis, 
Addison A. Walker, Joseph L. Wheeler, Wil- 
liam B. Hill, George A. Glazier, Nathan A. 
Gates, John M. Seaver, Edwin Howe, Charles 
E. Bickford, Abijah Hinds, Jr., Merrick Adams, 
W r illiam H. Learned, Stilman D. Colburn, Har- 
rison E. Rawson, Lysander B. Jaquith, William 
T. Peabody, Charles Noyes, Hiram Williams, 
Elijah W. Foster, John H. Walker, Albert Bick- 

ll 



iio TOWN HISTORY.— MUSIC. 

ford, J. H. Sperling, George T. Lowell, Ai Stone, 
J. P. Lynde, Ransom Bolton, Bellarmin Bolton, 
Luke Whitney, R. G. Reed, Daniel Adams, 
Ephraim S. Bowker, Luther B. Walker, Samuel 
Hodgman, B. G. Cochran, Asa F. Smith and 
Benjamin H. Rugg. 

This company was disbanded in 1851 ; since 
that time there has been no military company in 
Gardner. 



MUSIC. 



There were two bands of music formed in 
1855. One in the center of the town, called the 
Gardner Cornet Band, is composed of eighteen 
members. The other is in the south village, 
and is called the Mechanics' Cornet Band ; it 
consisted of nineteen members at its formation ; 
it now numbers sixteen. 

These organizations have not the power to 
protect or secure property that belong to the 
engine companies ; yet their music has a tenden- 
cy to invigorate, enliven and animate the mind, 
rendering it more capable of enjoying its pos- 
sessions. 



TOWN HISTORY.— FIRE DEPARTMENT. iin 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The fire department at the present time, con- 
sists of two organized companies of engine men 
formed in 1852. One is located in the south 
village, and is called the Cataract, No. 1 ; Samuel 
Bent, Foreman. The other, is in the west village, 
and is called the Torrent, No. 2 ; Hiram Wood, 
Foreman. Both companies have powerful en- 
gines which were purchased by the town at an 
expense of nearly three thousand dollars, includ- 
ing hose. 



FIRES, 

AND INJURIES BY LIGHTNING. 

1798, August 10. A barn belonging to Setli 
Heywood was set on fire by lightning and con- 
sumed, with the crops of hay and grain. 

1798, August 24. A barn belonging to Samuel 
Stone was struck by lightning and burnt; it 
Was well filled with hay and grain. 

1808. In May, a dwelling-house of Joseph 
Wright, with all the furniture, was consumed. 
The fire was occasioned by a defect in the oven. 

1809. In November, a house belonging to 
Allen Perley was burned, with the furniture ; he 
was having it repaired at the time ; the workmen 



120 



TOWN HISTORY.— FIRES. 



had left shavings so near the fire-place, that on 
going out, the wind took them to the fire, thus 
communicating the flames to the building with 
such rapidity that there was no chance to save it. 

1810. In the spring of the year, a house be- 
longing to Capt. Ezekiel Howe was struck by 
lightning : there had been quite a shower of rain 
a little while before ; Mr. Howe was coming to- 
wards the house when it was struck, and remarked 
" that the electricity had the appearance of live 
coals thrown from the roof." The house was not 
burned, but so shattered, that he built a new 
one ; the furniture was upset, and the crockery 
thrown from the shelves and broken. A loaded 
gun standing in the house w T as discharged by the 
electricity. 

1813. The card shop of Josiah Wilder, Jr. 
was destroyed by fire. Also, a dwelling-house 
belonging to Aaron Pratt. 

1827. In February, a chair shop of James 
M. Comee was burned. 

1829. A grist mill belonging to Capt. William 
Bickford, (where C. J. and O. A. Travers' chair 
shop now stands,) was burned. 

1834. In June, the dwelling-house of Seth 
Whitney took fire upon the roof, and was de- 
stroyed. In October, a chair shop belonging to 



TOWN HISTORY.— FIRES. 



121 



Walter Heywood was burned on the site where 
Asher Shattuck's house now stands. 

Capt. Henry Whitney had a mill burned, and 
built another on the same site, which he sold to 
Daniel J. Goodspeed, which was afterwards burnt. 

Martin Dunster had a chair shop destroyed by 
fire, on the site where Nichols & Bakers grist 
mill now stands. 

1839. In March, a chair shop of Elijah Put- 
nam was burned, on the site now occupied by 
L. II . Sawin. 

1841, August 20. The blacksmith shop be- 
longing to Capt. William Learned was destroyed 
by fire. 

1846. A mill belonging to Ai Stone, in the 
north part of the town, (where John Cowee's 
mill now stands,) was burned. A small house 
belonging to Heman Kay was burned the same 
year. Daniel J. Goodspeed had a shop con- 
sumed by fire, where Greenwood & Wright's 
chair shop now stands. 

1852. In November, the same individual had 
a shop burned on the site now occupied by B. F. 
Kendall. 

1855. In March, the house that had been 
occupied by Miss Kneeland and Mrs. Phinney, 
was burned. 



122 



TOWN HISTORY.— CASUALTIES. 



1857. In September, a large paint shop be- 
longing to the South Gardner Chair Manufac- 
turing Company, near the depot, was burned. 
Loss, $10,000 ; insured for $5,500. 

Other inconsiderable fires may have occurred. 



Hail Storm. A sudden storm of hail came 
over the north part of Gardner, June 20, 1850, 
breaking the glass on the west, and north-west 
side of the buildings where it went. The hail 
came with such force that it broke down the 
growing vegetables in its course. 



CASUALTIES. 

In 1802, Seth Hey wood was found dead by 
the road-side, between Leominster and West- 
minster ; he had been to assist a man in driving 
some cattle, and, in returning home, it is sup- 
posed, he felt unwell and stepped out of the road 
and died. He was a young man, dearly beloved 
and greatly lamented by his friends. His age 
was 25. 

In 1818, David Wilder was killed in conse- 
quence of a tub of gravel falling on him while 
he was at work in a well ; the tub was drawn 



TOWN HISTORY.— CASUALTIES. 



123 



up by a windlass ; those working at that, turned 
it so fast, that the tub went over after it was 
drawn up. His age was 30. 

In 1820, Joseph Clark, Jr., died in a fit. His 
age was 33. 

In 1822, William Fenno died in consequence 
of falling from his wagon while going down the 
hill, about a quarter of a mile east of the center 
of the town, a little below the road to West- 
minster. On examining the wagon, it was found 
that the linchpin went but a little way into the 
axle-tree ; it was supposed, on turning around, 
as one wheel went over a stone, the pin came 
out, and on going down this hill the wheel came 
off, causing the accident. He lived two or three 
days. 

In 1826, Jonathan Martin was found dead in 
his house, being left alone for a little while. 
Jonathan Bancroft was found dead in a pasture, 
while on a visit to his son ; as he was going from 
the field to the house, he died, (as was supposed) 
in a fit. His age was 76. 

In 1831, Asahel Brick died in a fit. His age 
was 47. Harriet, daughter of Abijah Hinds, was 
drowned in a clay pit. She was 7 years of age. 

In 1834, Capt. Ahio Temple died suddenly in 
his bed. His age was 70. 



J24 TOWN HISTORY.— CASUALTIES. 

In 1835, Benjamin Howe fell from a ladder 
attached to the high beams in the barn ; he had 
nearly reached the top when the ladder swayed, 
and he fell to the floor, injuring him so badly 
that he died the third day. His age was 52. 

In 1837, Daniel Gates was so injured by the 
upsetting of his wagon, (near the house of Amos 
Ray,) that he lived but a few days. 

In 1842, Winslow Davis was wounded by fall- 
ing from his wagon, causing his death in a few 
days. Amasa Leland was killed by a timber 
falling upon his head while taking down his barn. 
His age was 49. Silas, son of George W Davis, 
while sliding from a hay-mow, came forcibly 
upon a pitchfork, which entered his body caus- 
ing his death. He was 10 years of age. 

In 1844, Mrs. Joel Co wee died suddenly in 
her bed. Her age was 54. 

In 1843, Horace P., son of David Bickford, 
was drowned. He was 5 years of age. 

In 1851, Andrew Beard was found dead in his 
bed. His age was 79. 

In 1852, a child of George Howe died in a 
fit. He was 2 years of age. 

In 1855, Levi Richardson was found frozen 
in Mr. Ballous mill, in the north part of the 
town. His age was 53. Hubbard Kendall was 



TOWN HISTORY.— CASUALTIES. 



125 



killed by the falling of a tree. His age was 65. 
Miss Merriam was found dead in her bed. Her 
age was 69. 

On the night of the 7th of March, 1855, a 
shocking murder was committed in Gardner. 
The house of Miss Miriam Kneeiand and Mrs. 
Sarah K. Phinney, was entered, by breaking a 
window while the occupants were in their beds ; 
the murderer with malice prepense, and without 
any provocation, maliciously murdered those two 
innocent persons by striking them on their heads 
with a cudgel. The instrument used was a chair- 
post. The murder was not disclosed until the 
next day evening. This affair so agitated the 
town, that there was but little business accom- 
plished for a week ; there was great exertion 
used to ascertain the perpetrator of this invidi- 
ous deed. The Selectmen offered a reward of 
§500, to any one who would detect and bring to 
justice the assassin. 

A young man by the name of George Stacy 
was apprehended and tried before a Justice of 
the Peace in Gardner ; the evidence was so much 
against him, that he was committed for a further 
hearing before the Supreme Court, at Worcester. 
The Grand Jury found a bill against him, and 
the case went to the Trial Jury, but their ver- 
dict was not guilty. 



1 2 g TOWN HISTORY —CASUALTIES. 

Their funeral was attended at the meeting- 
house the next Sabbath by a large congregation ; 
Rev. A. Stowell preached a sermon from these 
words : 

" They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their 
death they were not divided." 2nd Samuel, 1st c., 23d v. 

The congregation was so large that part of 
them repaired to the town hall, where Rev. J. 
C. Paine preached from the text found in Prov- 
erbs, 4th, 27th. 

" Turn not to the right hand nor to the left : remove thy 
feet from evil." 

The subjects of this murder were daughters 
of Timothy Kneeland, whose name has been 
mentioned among the early settlers of Gardner. 
Miss Kneeland was 85 years of age, and Mrs. 
Phinney, 75. For a number of years they were 
the only occupants of the house. They were 
humble and exemplary christians. 

In 1856, Mrs. Lorenzo Cheney died in conse- 
quence of being burnt ; a fluid lamp was broken 
setting fire to her clothes, and burned her so 
badly that she lived but a few hours. Her age 
was 48. 

In 1857, Hammond Hardy, aged 21, was frozen 
so that he died. George W. Davis, aged 68, was 
drowned. 



TOWN HISTORY.— CEMETERIES. 197 

In 1859, a son of Lyman Fenno, four years of 
age, fell into a shiner-box and being too small to 
get out alone, was frozen ; he was not discovered 
until death had completed its mission. A son 
of Mr. Flinn, two years of age, w r as drowned in 
a well. A son of John Hyde, four years of age, 
was drowned. 

Small Pox. There were four deaths from 
small pox in 1854, and two in 1855. 

Suicide. There have been seven deaths by 
suicide within the last fifty years. 

Only one resident in town has been known to 
arrive at the age of one hundred ; a man by the 
name of Chapel, of English birth, died in Gard- 
ner, about the year 1820, aged 103. 

Since 1830, there have been 782 deaths; 11 
between ninety and one hundred ; 48 between 
eighty and ninety ; 139 between fifty and eighty ; 
153 between twenty-five and fifty ; 88 between 
fifteen and twenty-five ; 343 under fifteen. 



CEMETERIES. 

The burying-ground, lying north of the com- 
mon, is owned by the town ; the land was bought 
of Seth Heywood, in 1785; some years after, 



128 



TOWN HISTORY.— CEMETERIES. 



an addition was made to it on the west side. 
In 1847, a tomb was bnilt at the east end, for the 
use of the town. 

In November, 1849, several of the inhabitants 
of South Gardner, made application to Asaph 
Wood, Esq., to issue a warrant to some one of 
the persons named in the said application, to 
meet at the office of Dr. II. C. Ilarriman, to or- 
ganize into a company, to be called the South 
Gardner Green Bower Cemetery Company. 

The persons met agreeably to notice, and voted 
to organize, according to the law made and pro- 
vided for in such cases, into a company with the 
above name ; and made choice of S. W. A. Ste- 
vens, for Clerk, and H. C. Harriman, Modera- 
tor. 

The officers of the company are, five Direc- 
tors, or Trustees, one of whom shall be Presi- 
dent, a Treasurer and Clerk. 

A code of by-laws was adopted for the regu- 
lation of the company ; and a piece of land was 
purchased for the cemetery, south of the village, 
of Mr. John Sawin, which w r as fenced, and pre- 
pared, and laid out into lots for burial purposes, 
and has since been occupied as such. In 1858, 
the town voted to build a tomb in said cemetery, 
which has been completed. 



TOWN HISTORY.— JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



129 



August 7th, 1858, the Town voted to purchase 
some land, near the west village, for a new ceme- 
tery, and chose Elisha S. Jackson, John W. Hill, 
and Francis Richardson, a committee for that 
purpose ; they bought ten acres of land : seven 
or eight acres of Dea. Asa Perley, and two of 
S. W. Bancroft. The land lies west of Crystal 
Lake, and is called Crystal Lake Cemetery. 

Considerable labor and expense is now being 
bestowed upon it, and it has the appearance of 
being a beautiful place (when completed) for 
the reception of the dead. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

Aaron Wood, Simeon Leland, William Whit- 
ney, Smyrna Glazier, Asaph Wood, Francis Rich- 
ardson, Lewis H. Bradford, Rufus Newton, S. 
W. A. Stevens, John Edgell, Thomas E. Glazier, 
Thorley Collester, and C. W. Carter. The last 
mentioned one is an attorney at law. 



MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. 

Joseph Boyden was probably the first physi- 
cian in Gardner. Soon after he came into town, 

12 



130 



TOWN HISTORY.— MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS. 



Rev. J. Osgood united the medical to his cleri- 
cal office ; there not being practice enough for 
both, Dr. Boyden left the place. Mr. Osgood 
was the only physician in town for nearly thirty 
years. 

Dr. Howard practiced medicine here a few 
years. In 1822, Horace Parker, from Westford, 
came to Gardner ; after practicing medicine 
about seven years, his health failed and he re- 
turned to Westford, where he died soon after. 

In 1823, David Parker came into town; after 
studying awhile with his brother Horace, he 
commenced the practice of medicine with him, 
which he has continued to the present time. 
After the death of his brother, he was for many 
years the only physician in town. 

Occasionally a physician would locate here 
until a better opening might be found. Dr. San- 
born practiced in the south village a short time. 
Dr. Carpenter, Dr. Harriman, Dr. Warner, and 
Dr. Jewett, have also been located as physicians 
here. Dr. Sawyer and Dr. Macomber are now 
practising physicians in the place; the one last 
mentioned is of the homoeopathic order. 

W. H. H. Hinds, dentist, resided in town seven 
or eight years, when he sold out in 1859 to Dr. 
E. D. Gaylord. 



TOWN HISTORY— SCHOOLS. 



131 



Nathan S. Lincoln, son of Rev. Sumner Lin- 
coln, fitted for college at Springfield, Mass., and 
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1850. Stud- 
ied medicine in Baltimore, Md.; commenced the 
practice of medicine in the city of Washington 
in 1853, where he still resides. 

Albert Kendall, son of Hubbard Kendall, 
studied with Dr. Harriman, of Gardner, and at- 
tended the Medical College at New York, where 
he received his diploma for a physician, in which 
practice he is now engaged at Newton Lower 
Falls. 



SCHOOLS. 

In 1787, the town was divided into four school 
districts, and granted twenty pounds to be ex- 
pended in schooling. Previous to that time what 
education the children received was given in a 
private capacity; for nine years the schools were 
kept in dwelling-houses. In 1796, the town 
granted 250 pounds to build school-houses. 

In 1818 the town was new districted and di- 
vided into six school districts ; the school money 
has been increased from year to year until the 
present time, when $2,000 is appropriated to 
that use. The people of Gardner attach great 



1Q0 TOWN HISTORY.— SCHOOLS. 

importance to the system of common school edu- 
cation; this may be noticed in their school-houses, 
all of which have been built new, or repaired 
within a few years. In 1858, district No. 1 
erected a beautiful and commodious house, with 
four departments, at a cost of $10,000. In the 
same year, district No. 3 erected a house with 
three departments, at a cost of $5,000. Much 
pains has been taken in selecting teachers, giving 
the children and youth an opportunity to acquire 
an education sufficient to qualify them for the 
active business of life. A high school is often 
kept in the center of the town. There is also a 
fund of $1,000, belonging to the south village, 
the income of which is to be paid for the sup- 
port of a school. The donor was Abijah M. 
Severy. We find from the report of the School 
Committee, that in the year 1858, the number of 
public schools kept in town was twenty-five ; an 
increase in number of six over the preceding 
year ; their average length was six and a half 
months. 

The number of persons in town between five 
and fifteen years of age, according to the last 
enumeration, was 482. 



TOWN HISTORY.— BUSINESS. 



BUSINESS. 



133 



The principal business of this town for the 
first fifty years after its settlement, was farming. 
There were several coopers, but none that car- 
ried on an extensive business. About the year 
1805, Mr. James M. Comee commenced on a 
small scale the manufacture of chairs. The only 
machinery used then in making chairs was an 
ordinary foot-lathe for turning some parts of the 
stock then used, the rest of the work was done 
entirely by hand. This may be considered the 
commencement of chair manufacturing in New 
England, as, before it was done solely in con- 
nection with cabinet work. Mr. Comee continued 
in this business a number of years without com- 
petition. But at length, as it proved to be lucra- 
tive, and in the way it was carried on at that 
time, requiring but little capital to commence 
with, it was taken up by one and another until 
it has now become the principal business of the 
town, and is carried on to some extent in the 
neighboring towns. Mr. Comee acquired a hand- 
some estate, and was a man much respected by 
his townsmen ; he lived one-fourth of a mile 
east of the center of the town, where Mrs. A. 
Gates now resides. The rise and progress of 

12* 



134 



TOWN HISTORY.— BUSINESS. 



the chair business in this town if written in de- 
tail, might be interesting, but as I have not the 
facts sufficient, I shall confine myself to some 
general statements : 

For many years the only machinery used was 
a foot-lathe. When water-power was first ap- 
plied to the turning-lathe, it was a matter of 
astonishment to many, to see with what rapidity 
the work was done. Next came the circular saw 
to prepare the timber for the lathe ; and machine 
has followed machine to the present time, and a 
large part of the work is now done with them. 

The annual amount of chair business may be 
set in round numbers at $550,000. Number of 
men employed, 450 ; number of chairs made, 
620,000 ; amount paid for seating the same, 
$55,000 ; which last is done by women and chil- 
dren. 

The largest establishment for chair-making in 
town, and probably the largest in the United 
States, is that of the Hey wood Chair Manufac- 
turing Company. Their factory is situated on 
the stream flowing from Crystal Lake, and near 
its outlet ; for motive power they use both water 
and steam; they employ over 200 men, and manu- 
facture 200,000 chairs annually, varying in prices 
from $6 to $120 per dozen, making an aggregate 



TOWN HISTORY.— BUSINESS. 



135 



amount of $230,000. The amount paid by them 
for seating, is $18,000 annually. In addition to 
the above, the same company manufacture 50,000 
gallons of varnish annually, valued at $83,000, 
8,000 of which is used by themselves in finish- 
ing chairs. The business of this company in 
1849, was one hundred thousand dollars: in 
1859, three hundred thousand dollars. Their 
office in Boston is 113 Fulton street. 

The following table will show the amount of 
chair business done by individuals and compa- 
nies, at the present time : 



Heywood Chair ) (Chairs,) 

Manuf. Co., ) (Varnish,) 
Collester, Rugg & Co., 
L. H. Sawin, . . . 
E. Wright & Co., . . 
P. Derby, .... 
A. White & Co., . . 
Greenwood & Wright, . 
S. K. Pierce, . . . 
W. Hogan & Co., . . 
Greenwood and Nichols, 
John Sawin & Co., . 
E. C. & O. A. Travers 
Asa Perley, 



« a 2 









< a m 



$230,000 
70,000 
30,000 
24,000 
24,000 
16,000 
20,000 
75,000 
60,000 
40,000 
10,000 
8,000 
6,000 
5,000 



210200,000^18,000 



20 
17 
15 
17 
25 
40 
45 
30 
5 
7 
4 
7 



25,000 
30,000 
40,000 
16,000 
36,000 
100,000 
50,000 
80,000 

7,800 
26,000 
10,000 

6,000 



3,500 
4,000 
3,000 
2,000 
4,000 
8,000 
7,000 
5,000 
1,000 

700 
400 



\j. Qi \J. a. J-ravers, . u,wu -± iv,uuu i«v 

a Perley, 5,000 7 6,000 400 

The apparent discrepancy in the above table, 



136 



TOWN HISTORY.— BUSINESS. 



may be reconciled from the fact that some manu- 
facturers make more of the higher priced chairs 
than others, and some increase the amount of 
their business by painting more or less of the 
chairs they manufacture. To the above, we may 
add the business of A. H. Brick, in painting 
chairs ; his shop is near the depot, and he em- 
ploys fifteen hands, and finishes about 50,000 
chairs a year, making the whole amount of chair 
business of the town, nearly $600,000. 

There is one Pail and Tub factory in town, 
owned and occupied by Amasa Bancroft. He 
employs twelve men and makes 8,000 nests of 
tubs, and 30,000 pails, annually; valued at 
$15,500. 

The Mercantile business of the town, exclu- 
sive of flour and grain, may be set at $180,000, 
and is done at the present time by A. S. Wood, 
Stevens & Greenwood, Warren & Marean, N. 
B. Howe, Rugg & Osgood, Wood & Bryant, G. 
W. Black, G. T. Ellsworth, and L. D. Lyon. 

There are in the town nine saw-mills, one 
grist-mill, (Nichols & Baker's, who are doing a 
business of $30,000 annually, in flour, grain and 
meal;) one bakery, one tin-shop, three black- 
smith's shops, one jeweller, two public houses, 
four livery stables and two post offices. 



TOWN HISTORY— LIBRARIES. 1 g nr 

LIBRARIES. 

There are four circulating libraries in town ; 
one in the south village, and three in the center 
of the town, — one of which is an Agricultural 
Library : there is also one in each school district. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

Agreeably to letters missive from a number of 
brethren who were church members residing in 
Gardner, an Ecclesiastical Council convened at 
the house of John Glazier, Feb. 1st, 1786, in 
order to lead and assist them in forming a church 
of Christ in said town, consisting of delegates 
from the churches in Westminster, Templeton, 
Winchendon and Ashburnham. 

Voted, Rev. Mr. Rice, Moderator, and Rev. 
Mr. Cushing, Scribe. 

There were twenty-six members of other 
churches present, desirous of forming themselves 
into a church of Christ ; seven others united with 
them by profession. 

The Moderator, in the name of the Council, 
tendered to them as a regular church of Christ, 
the fellowship of the churches, and exhorted them 
to walk in the faith and order of the gospel. 



]^g TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

After the exercises, upon a motion made in 
the presenee of the Council, the Church chose 
the Rev. Mr. Rice as their standing Moderator, 
with all consenting that they should choose an 
occasional Moderator among themselves as they 
should need. The Council then dissolved. 

J. Cushing, Scribe. 

At this early period, towns and parishes were 
identical, and a tax was levied by law for the 
support of the gospel. 

The following was the covenant of that early 
church, there being no articles of faith. 

Form of Covenant. 

"We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending 
ourselves called of God unto the church state of the gospel, 
do first of all confess ourselves unworthy to be so highly 
favored of the Lord, and admire that free, rich grace of his 
which triumphs over so great unworthiness. And thus with 
humble reliance on the aids of grace, therein promise for 
them that in a sense of their inability to do any good there- 
by, do humbly wait on him for all. Thankfully laying hold 
of his covenant, we would choose the things that please him. 
We declare our serious belief of the christian religion as 
contained in the said scriptures, and with such a view there- 
of as the confessions of faith in other churches has exhibited, 
heartily resolving to conform our lives unto the rules of that 
holy religion, as long as we live in the world. We give up 



TOWN niSTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



139 



ourselves unto the blessed Jesus who is the Lord Jehovah, 
and adhere to him as the head of his people, in the covenant 
of his grace, and rely on him as our Priest, Prophet and 
King, to bring us unto eternal blessedness. We acknowl- 
edge our everlasting and indispensable obligations to glorify 
God, in all the duties of a godly and righteous life : very 
particularly in the duties of a church state, as a body of 
people appointed in obedience to him in all the ordinances 
of the gospel. And we therefore depend upon his generous 
assistance for our faithful discharge of the duties thus in- 
cumbent upon us. We desire and intend, with dependance 
on his promised and powerful grace to walk together as a 
church of the son Jesus Christ, in the faith and order of the 
gospel, so far as we shall have the same revealed unto us. 
Constantly attending the public worship of God, the sacra- 
ments of New Testament, and the discipline of his kingdom, 
and all his holy institutions in communion with one another, 
and watchfully avoiding sinful stumbling-blocks and conten- 
tions, as become a people whom the Son hath bound up to- 
gether in a bundle of life. At the same time we do also 
present our offspring with us unto the Lord ; professing with 
his help to maintain the daily worship of God in our houses, 
and to do our part in all other methods that our children 
may be the Lord's. And all this we do, fleeing to the blood 
of the everlasting Covenant for the pardon of our many 
sins ; and praying that the gracious Lord, who is the great 
Shepherd, would prepare and strengthen us for every good 
work, to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleas- 
ing in his sight, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." 

At a meeting in March, 1789, the town voted 
to raise £20, (or $66,67,) to hire preaching the 



140 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



present year ; voted that the committee for hiring 
preaching, employ Rev. Frederick Parker. 

In October, they voted to hire Mr. Parker six 
Sabbaths ; also, to unite with the church in giv- 
ing him a call, which was done. 

His answer was in the negative. The people 
were so anxious to have him for their minister, 
that they chose a Committee of two to make fur- 
ther proposals to him, such as they anticipated 
he would accept, but all of no avail. 

July 21st, 1791, the inhabitants of the town 
were legally called together, for the purpose of 
showing their minds with regard to giving Eev. 
Jonathan Osgood a call to settle in the work of 
the gospel ministry in Gardner; sixty-four in 
favor, and three otherwise. 

MR. OSGOOD'S ANSWER. 

To the Church and Congregation in Gardner : 

Brethren and Friends : 

Whereas in the Providence of God you have 
seen fit to give me an invitation to settle with you in the 
work of the gospel ministry, I have taken it into serious 
consideration, advised with my friends and fathers in the 
ministry, and devoted myself to God in solemn prayer for 
direction, in a matter of so much importance. I feel my 
own inability to undertake so great a work. But being con- 
fident of the mighty power of God, and knowing that the 



TOWN HISTORY— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



141 



great head of the church is able to support those who put 
their trust in him, I hope he will afford me his grace, that I 
may be enabled to carry on so great a work, and at the 
same time relying that you will, by your prayers, strive with 
me at the throne of grace, that I may be upheld in such an 
arduous undertaking, and enabled to discharge the duty of 
a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. I trust that you will 
endeavor to strengthen my hands by your christian conduct, 
and that you will be desirous that harmony should be kept 
up with the neighboring churches, and that I should fre- 
quently exchange with my brethren, the clergy. The pro- 
posals you have made me for my support are according to 
the infancy of the town. If at any future period, as you 
increase in wealth, I should stand in need, I trust you will 
be ready to afford me relief. I shall depend that you punc- 
tually fulfill the proposals you have made. Relying on your 
candor, and trusting you will strive with me to build up the 
cause and kingdom of the great Redeemer in this place, and 
taking every circumstance into consideration, I think it my 
duty to answer you in the affirmative. I now affirm that I 
accept your invitation to settle with you in the work of the 
gospel ministry, reserving to myself, according to custom, 
two or three Sabbaths in a year, as occasion may require, to 
visit my friends. 

As it is for the interest of religion and the welfare of so- 
ciety, that peace, concord, and universal benevolence pre- 
vail, let us strive to maintain them in our own minds, and 
inculcate the importance of them upon others. Let us all 
seek the great head of the church for support, and may we 
conduct ourselves as the true disciples of Jesus Christ, and 
walk together as heirs of the grace of life. That God 
may delight to dwell among you, that he may afford you the 

13 



142 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



influence of his Holy Spirit, that you may overcome all 
things which shall oppose you in your christian course, that 
you at last may come off conquerors through Jesus Christ, 
and be made partakers of the inheritance of the saints in 
life, is the earnest prayer of your friend and brother. 

Jonathan Osgood. 

Gardner, Sept. 17th, 1791. 

At this period ministers were settled for life. 
The conditions of Mr. Osgood's settlement were 
£58, one-half of it to be paid in one year, and 
the remainder in two years from his installation. 
His salary was to be £75 (or $250) a year, so 
long as he should continue to preach. 

At a subsequent meeting, the town voted to 
take from his settlement £18 (or $60,) and add 
to his salary twenty cords of hard wood. 

Mr. Osgood was ordained October 19th, 1791. 
The churches participating on that occasion, were 
from Andover, Westminster, Hubbardston, Tem- 
pleton, Winchendon, Ashburnham, Bolton, Lit- 
tleton and Boxford. 

The Eev. Mr. French, of Andover, introduced 
the solemnities with prayer: Eev, Mr. Foster, 
of Littleton, delivered the sermon: Eev. Mr. 
Sparhawk, of Templeton, made the ordaining 
prayer : Kev. Mr. Rice, of Westminster, gave the 
charge : Eev. Mr. Brown, of Winchendon, be- 
stowed the right hand of fellowship : Eev. Mr. 



TOWN HISTORY— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I^O 

Wright, of Bolton, offered the concluding prayer. 

Mr. Osgood was born at Westford in 1762. 
He began after he was of age to secure an edu- 
cation, graduated at Yale College, and studied 
theology with Rev. Mr. Foster, of Littleton. 

His congregation, though not very large, em- 
braced the whole town. As there was no phy- 
sician in town during the first years of Mr. 
Osgood's ministry, he commenced the practice 
of medicine, which he continued until his death ; 
although a portion of his time was devoted to 
the healing art, yet he was not considered neg- 
lectful of the care and spiritual wants of his flock. 

He bought some land and built a house (where 
now lives Mr. Henry Lawrence) soon after he 
came here. When all was completed he mar- 
ried a daughter of Mr. Wardsworth, of Farming- 
ton, Conn. It was thought to be a great time 
here when he came with his bride ; a company 
of young people met them at Barre and escorted 
them to their new home, where many of his 
people were assembled, bringing with them pro- 
visions of every description as a token of love 
and respect for their minister. 

Mr. Osgood was a man of more than ordinary 
ability, and was the only minister and physician 
of the town during his life. He died on the 



144 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



22d of May, 1822, in the 61st year of his age and 
3 1st of his ministry: his funeral (the expenses 
of which were defrayed by the town) was at- 
tended at the meeting-house by a large con- 
course of people. The neighboring clergymen 
were invited to assist in the services. Rev. Mr. 
Easterbrook, of Athol, preached a sermon from 
the text "Jesus wept." His death was lamented 
by a large circle of friends, by whom he was 
greatly esteemed and beloved. His character is 
briefly delineated in the following lines : 

"Cautious himself, he others ne'er deceived, 
Lived as he taught, and taught as he believed." 

After the death of Mr. Osgood, the parish 
listened to several candidates for settlement 
without being able to unite on any one as their 
pastor ; they at length gave a call to Rev. Ed- 
mund Sewell, which was declined. 

May 3d, 1824, the parish voted a call to Mr. 
Lincoln, who had been supplying them for a 
season. Mr. Lincoln accepted the call, and was 
ordained and installed June lGth, 1824. 

Immediately after the settlement of Rev. Mr. 
Lincoln, the church adopted the following cove 
nant, instead of the one of 1786. 

"You acknowledge the Bible to be a true and faithful re- 
cord of the will of G-od respecting mankind. You receive 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



145 



it as the only rule of your religious faith and practice. In 
religion you call no man Master ; for one is your Master, 
even Christ. You believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of 
God. To us Christians, you believe, as the Apostle Paul 
says, that there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all 
things and we in him ; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom 
are all things and we in him. In the presence of the heart- 
searching God and this religious assembly, you solemnly 
avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your God, your Creator, 
your Redeemer, and your Sanctifier. Repenting of all your 
past sins, you promise in future, constantly to endeavor, by 
the aid of God, to render your life conformable to his re- 
quirements. You promise, by becoming a member of the 
visible church of Christ in this place, to submit to the gospel 
discipline, rules and regulations, as established and prac- 
ticed in the same." (Amen.) 

"Thus you acknowledge and promise." 

"We, then, as members of the Church of Christ, welcome 
you to our fellowship and communion, at the table of our 
common Lord, whose body was broken, and whose blood 
was shed for the remission of sin. We promise, expecting 
the same from you towards us, to exercise over you the 
watchfulness of Christian love. May the peace of God make 
us perfect to do his will, that we may walk together as 
brethren ; preserving the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of 
peace ; making us to abound in every good word and work ; 
at last possessing a character adorned with every Christian 
virtue, may we all be so happy as to meet in the mansions 
of heaven, and unite our voices with an innumerable multi- 
tude, in the song of blessing and honor, glory and power to 
him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever, 
and ever." Amen. 

13* 



146 



TOWN HISTORY —ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



Mr. Lincoln continued to be the minister of 
the Congregational Church for six succeeding 
years ; when, what was then called exclusive 
measures w T ere adopted by the ministers of this 
association; the more liberal part taking one 
side and calling themselves Unitarians, while 
the more Calvinistic, taking the opposite side, 
w T ere known by the name of Orthodox. The 
liberals being in the majority, retained the meet- 
ing-house ; Mr. Lincoln taking the Orthodox 
side, with a part of the church, left and formed 
a new society, called the Evangelical Congrega- 
tional Society of Gardner. The separation of 
the church took place in the autumn of 1830. 
In December following, Rev. Jonathan Farr w T as 
ordained over the Congregational Church, and 
was dismissed, at his request, in July 1833. 

Rev. Curtis Cutler accepted an invitation to 
become their pastor, and was ordained Oct. 30th, 
1833 ; his pastorate was about five years. Mr. 
Cutler was dismissed at his own request, though 
granted with reluctance by his people. 

The pulpit was then supplied for a time by 
Rev. G. W. Stacy, w T ho labored with much suc- 
cess in the cause of his Master. 

Rev. W. H. Fish was their next supply, and 
was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Banister. From 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



147 



which time it has been considered an Orthodox 
church. 

Rev. J. C. Paine came to Gardner in 1847, and 
preached his first sermon on the last Sabbath in 
September. He received a unanimous call to 
settle, which he accepted, and was installed Jan. 
12th, 1848. 

The society had recently remodeled their 
meeting-house at a cost of about five thousand 
dollars. The church and society were then 
small, but soon began to increase, and have kept 
steadily on to the present time, (Feb., 1859,) so 
that now there is no spare pew to be rented. 
About one hundred have been added to the 
church, and it now numbers one hundred and 
twenty. 

Having in 1824 adopted, and, for about thirty 
years, held the same creed of the 2d church, in 
Feb., 1857, the church voted to change their 
creed, and they adopted another, which is as 
follows : 

ARTICLES OF FAITH. 

1st. You believe there is but one God, the Father, of 
whom are all things, and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom 
are all things, and we by him. 

2d. You believe the Bible is of divine inspiration, and 
should be received as the supreme rule of faith and practice. 



148 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



3d. You believe that God has appointed all things, and 
works all things according to his counsel, so that all who 
believe on him may be saved, and he himself glorified. 

4th. You believe that man was at first created upright, 
but by his own voluntary act he sinned, in consequence of 
which all are involved in sin, become voluntary sinners, and 
are without holiness. 

5th. You believe that in consequence of sin man needs 
a change of heart, (which is effected through the influence 
of the Spirit,) in order that he may be fitted for the service 
of God and for heaven. 

6th. You believe that faith, love, and repentance are the 
terms on which man can receive forgiveness, and by the 
grace of God be saved. 

7th. You believe that the Christian graces will produce 
in man good works, which may be received as evidences of 
faith, but not as the ground of justification. 

8th. You believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, by his suf- 
ferings and death, has made ample atonement for all man- 
kind, so that all who will comply with the terms of the gos- 
pel may receive eternal life. 

9th. You believe that there is to be a resurrection of the 
dead, that God will call all to an account, and that each will 
receive sentence. " The wicked shall go away into ever- 
lasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal." 

10th. You believe the Sabbath to be a divine institution, 
and that all are therefore under obligations to "Remember 
the Sabbath day to keep it holy." 

11th. You believe that the Lord's Supper and Baptism 
are ordinances of the Christian church, and should be ob- 
served by all the members of the church ; and that the sub- 
jects of Baptism are believers and their households. 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



149 



FORM OF COVENANT. 

You do now, in the presence of the heart-searching God, 
and this religious assembly, avouch the Lord Jehovah to be 
your God, your Creator, your Redeemer and your Sanctifier. 

You promise, by the assistance of his grace, to live in 
conformity to his requirements ; and that by uniting with 
the church of Christ in this place, to submit to the gospel 
discipline, rules and regulations, as established and practiced 
in the same. 

I do now, in the name of the Great Head of the Church, 
pronounce you to be his, and entitled to all the blessings 
and privileges of his church. And we, the members of this 
church, cordially receive you into our communion; and we 
covenant to watch over you, and to promote your spiritual 
edification with all fidelity and tenderness, treating you in 
truth and love as belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ, who 
is head over all things to the church, which is his body, the 
fullness of him that filleth all in all. 

May the grace of God make you and us perfect to do his 
will, that we may walk together in love, preserving the unity 
of the Spirit in the bonds of peace ; making us to abound in 
every good word and work ; and at last, being found pos- 
sessed of a character, adorned with every Christian virtue, 
may we all be so happy as to meet in the mansions of 
heaven, and unite our hearts and voices, with an innumer- 
able multitude, in the song of blessing and honor, glory and 
power, to him who sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb 
forever and ever. Amen. 

EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY. 
On the second of August, 1830, the seceding 
members of the first parish met and organized 



150 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



under the name the of Evangelical Congregational 
Society of Gardner. On the 11th of the same 
month Rev. S. Lincoln was installed as pastor 
of the church and society. By much trial and 
great sacrifice, the new organization built a 
meeting-house at a cost of about two thousand 
dollars, which was dedicated June 16th, 1831 ; # 
and continued to be their house of worship until 
they removed to their present house, which was 
built in 1856, at an expense of about nine thou- 
sand dollars. 

This church, while it was under the care of 
Mr. Lincoln, was actively engaged in the moral 
reforms of the day ; it was especially so in rela- 
tion to anti-slavery and temperance. It was 
here that the Worcester County North Anti- 
Slavery Society was formed. 

During the ministration of Mr. Lincoln, as 
also of his successor, Mr. Stone, this church had 
quite too much anti-slavery spirit to be very 
popular with most of the neighboring Orthodox 
churches. 

One hundred and twenty persons united with 
the church by profession under Mr. Lincoln's 
ministry of eleven and one-half years. In com- 

*S. V. S. Wilder, Esq., gave the Society $100 towards building their meet- 
ing-house ; also, a Communion Service and Bible. 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 1 ~ i 

pliance with his request, he was dismissed Feb. 
23d, 1842. 

A call having been extended and accepted by 
Eev. William B. Stone, the same council that 
dismissed Mr. Lincoln, proceeded to ordain and 
install him. 

Mr. Stone's pastorate was eight years ; during 
that time there were seventy-six additions to the 
church ; he left this people in September, 1850, 
in consequence of ill health. 

Rev. D. C. Frost preached as a supply one 
year, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Grosvenor, 
who only remained a few months. 

The church then secured the services of Rev. 
A. S to well, who continued their pastor five years. 
Thirty-six were added to the church during that 
time. 

Dec. 7th, 1857, Rev. J. W. Healy was installed 
as pastor of this church, and was dismissed, at 
his own request, July 11th, 1859; during his 
ministry there were thirty-five additions to the 
church by profession, and twenty-six by letter. 

Rev. Samuel J. Austin was installed pastor of 
the church Dec. 8th, 1859. The church now 
numbers two hundred and eight. 

The following covenant was adopted in 1847, 
during the period of Mr. Stone's labors. 



152 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



ARTICLES OF FAITH. 

1st. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New 
Testaments were given by inspiration of God. That they 
are profitable for doctrine, for correction, for reproof, for 
instruction in righteousness, and that they are the only effi- 
cient rule of Christian faith and practice. 

2d. We believe that God is a being of infinite perfec- 
tions, both natural and moral, governing all things accord- 
ing to his own will, and existing consequently with his unity 
in three persons, Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost. 

3d. We believe in the free agency, moral obligations, 
and accountability of man. That in consequence of the first 
transgression, he became destitute of holiness and prone to 
evil, and obnoxious to the righteous justice of God. 

4th. We believe that Christ by his sufferings and death 
made atonement for sin. That it is abundantly sufficient for 
the whole world. And that those who reject his gospel 
perish in unbelief, entirely from their own fault. 

5th. We believe in the necessity of a change of heart, 
whereby its natural aversion to holiness gives place to the 
grace and love of God in Christ. And that the change is 
wrought by the influence of the Holy Spirit. 

6th. We believe that the only meritorious ground of the 
sinner's justification and pardon is the atoning sacrifice and 
righteousness of Christ. That while justification is through 
faith alone, it is through that living faith which unfailing 
and perseveringly abounds in good works, and all the fruits of 
the Spirit. And that salvation is entirely by grace. 

7th. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, both of 
the just and the unjust. That all mankind must appear be- 
fore the judgment seat of Christ to be awarded according to 
their works. The wicked to go away into everlasting punish- 
ment, and the righteous into life eternal. 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



153 



8th. We believe that the ordinances of the New Testa- 
ment are baptism and the Lord's Supper. 

FORM OF COVENANT. 

You do now, in the presence of the heart-searching God, 
and this religious assembly, voluntarily avouch the Lord 
Jehovah to be your G-od, and the supreme object of your 
affections. You acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as your 
only Saviour, and the Holy Grhost as your sanctifier. Re- 
penting of all your past sins, you promise in future con- 
stantly, by the aid of G-od, to render your life conformable 
to his requirements. That you will observe the Sabbath 
and attend to the ordinances of the Gospel. That you will 
endeavor to advance the cause of temperance, moral purity, 
anti-slavery and peace. And that henceforth, denying all 
ungodliness and every worldly lust ; you will live soberly 
and righteously and godly in the world. You promise, by 
becoming a member of the visible church in this place, to 
submit to the gospel discipline, rules and regulations, as 
established and practiced in the same. 

Thus you covenant and promise. (Then the church rise.) 
We then, as members of the church of Christ, welcome you 
to our fellowship and communion at the table of our common 
Lord, whose body was broken, and whose blood was shed 
for the remission of sins. We promise, expecting the same 
from you towards us, to exercise over you the watchfulness 
of Christian love. May the grace of Grod make us perfect to 
do his will. That we may walk together as brethen, pre- 
serving the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, making 
us to abound in every good ivord and work. 

At last, preserving a character, adorned with every Chris- 
tian virtue, may we all be so happy as to meet in the man- 

14 



154 



TOWN HISTORY —ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



sions of Heaven, and unite our voices with an innumerable 
multitude, in the song of blessing and honor, glory and 
praise to Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the 
Lamb forever and ever. Amen. 



HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, 

As taken from the minutes of the Sixteenth Anniversary of the 
Wachusett Baptist Association held in Templeton, September 8th 
and 9th, 1858. — By Lewis H. Bradford.] 

The first movement of the South Gardner 
Baptist Church was in the year 1830, when 
twenty-three brethren and sisters of the Baptist 
Church in Templeton, who resided in Gardner, 
represented by letter to the church that " they 
thought their number and circumstances such 
that it would be for their advantage, and the 
general interest of the cause of Christ, to be or- 
ganized into a distinct church" — and on the 
fifteenth of November, in the same year, an Ec- 
clesiastical Council was convened at the house 
of Sullivan Jackson, in South Gardner, for the 
purpose of organizing and recognizing the 
church. 

The council was composed of delegates from 
the churches in Templeton, Westminster, Prince- 
ton, and West Boylston. The venerable pastor 
of the Templeton church, Rev. Elisha Andrews, 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



155 



was chosen Moderator, and the Rev. Abiel Fisher, 
now a member, bnt then pastor of the West 
Boylston church, was chosen Scribe. 

The Moderator, — " Father Andrews," — " ex- 
hibited the state of the brethren requesting the 
council, and the peculiar views of the Templeton 
church in relation thereto." 

The question, " Shall a church be constituted 
at South Gardner ?" was argued at great length, 
some doubting as to the expediency, but on the 
whole, it was finally voted in the affirmative, and 
the council proceeded to recognize the church 
by a public meeting in the south-west district 
school-house. Brother Fisher preached ; Bro. 
Appleton Morse, pastor of the church in Prince- 
ton, gave the hand of fellowship, and " Father 
Andrews," the charge. 

At the same time Bro. Sullivan Jackson was 
ordained as deacon of the church, — and among 
its early friends, no name is more fragrant than 
the name of this beloved brother ; his house and 
his heart were always open to its demands. 

The first regular pastor of the church was 
Rev. Samuel Glover, who was settled in the 
spring of 1831 ; he labored with them until the 
year 1834, and during his connection with the 
church, nineteen individuals were baptized ; and 



156 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



the meeting-house was erected, the funds having 
mainly been contributed by Sullivan Jackson, 
George Scott, and Walter Greenwood. 

The second pastor was Rev. Winthrop Morse, 
who continued his labors but a few months in 
the year 1834, yet retained his connection with 
the church as a member until June 20th, 1847. 

Rev. Joshua Millett was his successor until 
1835, and afterwards, in the same year, Rev. 
John Holbrook, who remained but three months. 
No baptisms are recorded while the three last 
named individuals served the church. 

In 1837, Bro. John Clapp was ordained as 
pastor, and that year fourteen persons were bap- 
tized. Previous to Bro. Clapp's connection with 
the church no regular choir singing had been 
enjoyed; he being a good singer, and no one 
leading off after the hymns were read, he would 
officiate as singer and preacher. Soon after he 
came amongst them he opened a singing school 
for the benefit of the choir, 

The next year, Bro. Andrew Pollard, now the 
pastor of the Taunton Green Baptist Church, 
commenced preaching to them, and was ordained 
as pastor May 1st, 1839. During his pastorate 
twenty-one individuals were baptized. 

In June, 1840, Bro. William H. Dalrymple 



TOWN HISTORY— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 1^ 

was settled as pastor, and remained until Octo- 
ber, 1842 ; seven persons were baptized under 
his ministry. He was succeeded by Rev. Erastus 
Andrews and Rev. W. B. Jones, who supplied 
them with preaching until Oct., 1843. Neither 
one of the last named permanently resided in the 
town, and no baptisms are reported. 

April 21st, 1844, Rev. Josiah H. Tilton, now 
the pastor of the Holden Baptist Church, was 
chosen pastor ; five individuals were baptized 
while he was with them. His labors closed in 
1847, and Rev. Benjamin H. Cliffts' services 
were secured until the spring of 1849, and that 
year Rev.* Amasa Brown, now Agent of the 
American and Foreign Bible Society, was chosen 
pastor ; during his pastorate of Hye years, nine- 
teen individuals were baptized. 

He was succeeded in the fall of 1854, by the 
present pastor, Rev. Richard K. Ashley, and 
nineteen individuals have put on Christ by bap- 
tism under his ministry. 

All the above named Pastors and Ministers it 
is believed have labored to preach the gospel 
with plainness and simplicity, and the church 
have enjoyed several very pleasant seasons of 
the outpourings of God's Holy Spirit. 

At the decease of Sister Mary Wright Severy 

14* 



158 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



Bradford, the Church and Society began to 
receive the benefit of a legacy of four thousand 
dollars, left by her former husband, Abijah Moore 
Severy, the income of which is only to be used 
for the support of the gospel and sacred music 
in connection with the church and society. 

All but two or three of the original members 
have died, or are infirm and unfit for active duty, 
and we trust are patiently awaiting the sum- 
mons to go home. 

In conclusion, as we look over the record of 
this church, while sad reverses have sometimes 
beclouded its history, the eye of faith can see the 
hand of Divine Providence that has interposed 
in her behalf, and though assailed by the winds 
of adversity, her march is onward and upward, 
through the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
The church now numbers one hundred members. 

A Summary Declaration of the Faith and Practice of the 
Baptist Church in South Gardner. 

STANDING RESOLUTIONS AND VOTES OF THE CHURCH. 

Resolved, That it is the duty of the pastor, clerk, or one 
of the deacons, to visit, or write to any member of this 
church, who shall neglect to attend the church conference, 
or forward to the church some communication, once in three 
months. 

Resolved, That this church recommend to its members, 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 1 £Q 

who may remove to the vicinity of another church of the 
same denomination, to unite with that church without delay. 

Voted, That the Covenant be read at each monthly church 
Conference. 

Voted, That the Articles of Faith and Covenant shall be 
read to each candidate for church membership, and his 
assent had before baptism. 

SUMMARY DECLARATION. 

Believing it to be the duty of Christians to make a public 
declaration of their christian belief for the honor of Christ 
and the good of his cause on earth, we, therefore, deem it 
suitable to make the following 

DECLARATION : 

Article I. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old 
and New Testaments are the word of God, and our only 
rule of Faith and Practice. 2 Tim. 3 : 16. 2 Peter 1 : 21. 
Heb. 1 : 1,2. John 5: 39. 

Article II. We believe there is but one only living 
and true God, and that he has made himself known to his 
people by the several names of Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, who are equal in nature, power, and glory. Duet. 
6: 4. Eph. 4: 6. 1 John 5 : 7. 2 Cor. 13 : 14. John 
5: 23. Johnl: 1,14. John 13: 26. Matt. 12: 31,32. 

Article III. We believe that man was created in the 
image of God, holy, innocent, and happy ; but, that he fell 
from that state, and lost all communion with God, by vio- 
lating a known command of his Maker, and that we are all 
so affected by his apostacy, and that by nature we are 
wholly inclined to evil, and hence have become servants of 



1 gQ TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

sin, and subjects of eternal punishment. Gen. 1 : 27. Rom. 
5: 12, 19. Gen. 6: 5. Ps. 14: 1, 3. 

Article IV. We believe that the only way of salvation 
from this state of guilt and condemnation, is through the 
righteousness and atonement of Jesus Christ, the Son of 
God, who, as the Savior of his people, confers upon all 
those who repent and believe in him, all blessings, temporal, 
spiritual, and eternal ; and that it is the duty of all men to 
repent and believe. Luke 19: 10. John 3: 16. Rom. 
3: 24,25. Rom. 8 : 32. Acts 17 : 30. 

Article V. We believe that all who are ever brought 
to repentance and faith in the Gospel, were chosen in Christ 
unto salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and be- 
lief of the truth ; that repentance is produced by the effica- 
cious grace of God ; and that it is the duty of every be- 
liever to strive for sanctification. Eph. 1 : 4, 5. 2 Thess. 
2: 13. 1 Pet. 1: 2. Philip. 2 : 13. 2 Tim. 1: 9. 
James 1: 18. 1 Thess. 4 : 3. 5: 23. 

Article VI. We believe that all who are renewed by 
the Holy Ghost, are kept by the power of God through faith 
unto salvation. John 10 : 28, 29. Philip. 1:6. 1 Pet. 
1: 5. 

Article VII. We believe that the first day of the 
week, called the Lord's Day, ought to be kept holy as the 
Christian Sabbath. Exodus 20 : 8. Rev. 1 : 10. Acts 
20: 7. 

Article VIII. We believe that the only proper sub- 
jects of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are believers ; that 
Baptism is properly administered only by emersion, and is, 
by scriptural example, a prerequisite to admission to the 
Lord's Table. Mark 16: 16. Acts 8: 36—39. John 3: 
23. Rom. 6:3, 4, Col. 2 : 12. 1 Pet. 3:21. 



TOWN HISTORY.— ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



161 



Article IX. We believe that there will be a resurrec- 
tion of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust ; and 
that we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, 
to receive according to the deeds done in the body ; and 
that the sentence then passed will be eternal. John 5 : 28, 
29. Acts 24: 15. Mark 12: 26, 27. 2 Cor. 5: 10. 
Matt. 25: 46. 

COVENANT. 

Having been brought, as we trust, to believe on the Lord 
Jesus Christ, we do now, relying on his gracious aid, 
solemnly enter into covenant with each other in the follow- 
ing manner. 

We will strive to walk together in brotherly love, while 
at the same time we will endeavor to watch over one 
another, and kindly and affectionately admonish each other 
as occasion may require : we will not forsake the assembling 
of ourselves together for worship, especially at the covenant 
meetings and communion seasons of the church, unless 
providentially prevented : we will not neglect the great 
duty of secret prayer, both for ourselves and others : as 
parents, we will maintain the worship of Grod in our families, 
and endeavor to bring up our children, and those under our 
care, in the ways of true piety : we will carefully abstain 
from all foolish talking, and from giving currency to any 
slanderous reports concerning brethren or sisters, as well 
as from all unnecessary worldly conversation on the Sab- 
bath : as the faithful stewards of the Lord, we will aid, ac- 
cording to our ability, in sustaining the gospel in its purity, 
both at home and abroad : with tenderness and sympathy 
we will endeavor to bear each other's burdens and sorrows ; 
and finally, we will diligently study the word of God, that 



1£0 TOWN HISTORY.-ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

we may know and do our whole duty, and be followers of 
God as dear children. 

To all which we give our assent, in the presence of God, 
angels, and men. 



The following list shows the succession of 
Deacons of the Churches. The dates prefixed 
indicate the time of their election to office. 

First Congregational Church. 
David Foster. 



1791, 


24, 


Jonas Richardson. 


1815, September 


21, 


Noah Fairbanks. 


1815, 


21, 


Lewis Glazier. 


1815, 


21, 


Jonathan Bancroft. 


1830, 


21 


Elisha Jackson. 


1830, 


21, 


Smyrna W. Bancroft 


1856, 


5 


Horace Whitney. 


4 

Evangelica 


I Ct 


mgregational Church. 

Noah Fairbanks. 
Lewis Glazier. 
Jonathan Bancroft. 


1839, June 


8, 


Samuel H. Clark. 


1839, " 


8 


Joseph D. Sawin. 



Baptist Church. 

1830, November 15, Sullivan Jackson. 

Asa Perley. 
Benjamin Stone. 

Marcius A. Gates. 



TOWN HISTORY. 



163 



At this period we bring our brief and imper- 
fect sketch to a close. We have followed along 
the course of this history, sometimes smooth and 
sometimes troubled, for a period of about seventy- 
five years ; which, with all its scenes and events, 
is now among the things that were ; of which 
" the memory fondly delights to recall." 

Such recollections of the past have a good 
moral influence on the generations present and 
to come. We learn in some degree, to appre- 
ciate the hardships of those who were the pion- 
eers of society and who first made the sound of 
the axe to be heard in the forest. We are better 
prepared to estimate the advantages we enjoy, 
and the responsibility that attends the posses- 
sion of such advantages. 

We are also connected, in an important sense, 
with those who have lived in ages past, and 
others who are yet to come, exerting an influ- 
ence from generation to generation that will 
continue to floAv on to the end of time. 



z $ C & lL -/ 



UBB ABY OF CONGRESS 




014 078 464 3 4 



